‘It’s this whole picture, this well-being’: patients’ understanding of ‘feeling well’ with rheumatoid arthritis
- 27 July 2010
- journal article
- Published by SAGE Publications in Chronic Illness
- Vol. 6 (3), 228-240
- https://doi.org/10.1177/1742395310377672
Abstract
Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore the meaning of ‘feeling well’ for people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted with 23 RA patients, purposively sampled for medication type, disease duration, disease activity, age and gender. Data were analysed using Framework, emphasizing participants’ personal contexts. Results: Well-being was viewed as a broad concept, with ‘feeling well’ being the result of an on-going process to actively engage with a changing body, self and life. Four dimensions emerged: ‘Living in the body’, ‘Being in the mind’, ‘Adapting to illness’ and ‘Being in the world’. The physical impact of RA underpinned the global perception of well-being and was clearly described as linking to the experience of psychological well-being. Physical and psychological wellness was often affected by the individual’s adaptation to RA and personal context (e.g. home environment, broader social attitudes). Discussion: Well-being is a multidimensional concept that is meaningful to RA patients regardless of medication type and disease severity. Patients commonly illustrated a process of actively engaging in cognitive and behavioural adjustments to move towards wellness. Clinical practice and research must take account of the complexity of well-being in long-term conditions, in order to fulfil patients’ expectations.Keywords
This publication has 33 references indexed in Scilit:
- The Psychological Well-being of Patients with Rheumatoid ArthritisBritish Journal of Anaesthetic and Recovery Nursing, 2009
- The impact of patient‐perceived restricted access to anti‐TNF therapy for rheumatoid arthritis: a qualitative studyMusculoskeletal Care, 2009
- Clinical and radiographic outcomes of four different treatment strategies in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (the BeSt study): A randomized, controlled trialArthritis & Rheumatism, 2005
- Depression and health-related quality of life in patients with rheumatoid arthritisExpert Review of Pharmacoeconomics & Outcomes Research, 2005
- Why Call it Health-Related Quality of Life When You Mean Perceived Health Status?European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 2004
- Patients' perceptions of treatment with anti-TNF therapy for rheumatoid arthritis: a qualitative studyRheumatology, 2004
- Depression and rheumatoid arthritis: exploring the evidenceBritish Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation, 2001
- Living with rheumatoid arthritis: a phenomenological explorationNursing Standard, 1996
- The american rheumatism association 1987 revised criteria for the classification of rheumatoid arthritisArthritis & Rheumatism, 1988
- The Hospital Anxiety and Depression ScaleActa Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 1983