scholarly journals The Physical and Mental Impact of Surviving Sepsis – A Qualitative Open Interview Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabine Apitzsch ◽  
Lotta Larsson ◽  
Anna-karin Larsson ◽  
Adam Linder

Abstract Background: This study aims to illuminate how sepsis survivors experience sepsis and the impact of sepsis as well as the quality of life thereafter. Methods: A qualitative open interview study with eight sepsis survivors was performed. A content analysis inspired by Burnard was made. Results: Four main categories emerged during the analysis; The experience of health care and being a sepsis patient, New circumstances´ impact on life, Family and social interactions, and The psychological impact on life. The lack of information on how sepsis can impact the survivors’ lives and what to expect can lead to prolonged agony. The long recovery time comes as an unexpected and unpleasant surprise to those affected. Initially, the sepsis survivors are almost euphoric that they have survived, which can later lead to chock and trauma when they realize that they could have died. This insight needs to be processed in order to reach reconciliation with how life will turn out after sepsis. Conclusion: Sepsis has a huge impact on both physical and mental aspects of life. Many survivors suffer from persistent residual symptoms of varying degrees to which they have to adapt. The sepsis survivors need individually adjusted information about the sepsis recovery trajectory and what to expect during and after the hospital stay.

2021 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabine Apitzsch ◽  
Lotta Larsson ◽  
Anna-Karin Larsson ◽  
Adam Linder

Abstract Background Sepsis is a critical illness with high morbidity and mortality rates. Each year, sepsis affects about 48.9 million people all over the world. This study aims to illuminate how sepsis survivors experience sepsis and the impact of sepsis, as well as the health-related quality of life thereafter. Methods An interview study with eight sepsis survivors was carried out in Sweden with an inductive qualitative method. The data were analyzed with content analysis. Results Four themes were identified during the analysis; The experience of health care and being a sepsis patient, New circumstances´ impact on life, Family and social interactions, and The psychological impact on life. The lack of information about how sepsis can impact the survivors’ lives and what to expect can lead to prolonged agony. The long recovery time comes as an unexpected and unpleasant surprise to those affected. Initially, the sepsis survivors are almost euphoric that they have survived, which can later lead to chock and trauma when they realize that they could have died. This insight needs to be processed in order to reach reconciliation with life after sepsis. Conclusion Sepsis has a huge impact on both physical and mental aspects of life. Many survivors suffer from persistent residual symptoms of varying degrees, to which they have to adapt. The sepsis survivors need individually adjusted information about the sepsis recovery trajectory, and what to expect during and after the hospital stay.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alayna Park ◽  
Clarissa V. Velez

This study examined the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on American daily life. In May 2020, adults living in the United States (N=345; 63% European American; 64% male) completed an online survey on their functioning, psychological stress, and health locus of control. Inductive thematic analysis was used to identify themes in qualitative responses about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Themes included, but were not limited to, impacts on employment and finances (“I have not been paid a dime for the last eight weeks”), physical distancing practices (“I have left my neighborhood three times in eight weeks”), work environment (“I am working from home”), emotional well-being (“I feel stressed, anxious, and nervous pretty much all the time”), and social support (“I miss seeing and being with my friends and family”). Results showed moderate correlations between changes in mood and concentration, time spent caregiving and quality of caregiving, quality of social interactions and quality of work, quality of social interactions and mood, time spent working and quality of work, and number of social interactions and quality of social interactions. Being an essential worker and holding beliefs that health is determined by others and chance but not themselves was associated with increased psychological stress; holding beliefs that health is determined by others and chance also predicted changes in functioning. These findings supplement existing knowledge about the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and highlight opportunities for promoting well-being and functioning as Americans recover from consequent health, economic, and social stressors.


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Shah ◽  
F. M. Ali ◽  
A. Y. Finlay ◽  
M. S. Salek

Abstract Background A person’s chronic health condition or disability can have a huge impact on the quality of life (QoL) of the whole family, but this important impact is often ignored. This literature review aims to understand the impact of patients' disease on family members across all medical specialities, and appraise existing generic and disease-specific family quality of life (QoL) measures. Methods The databases Medline, EMBASE, CINHAL, ASSIA, PsycINFO and Scopus were searched for original articles in English measuring the impact of health conditions on patients' family members/partner using a valid instrument. Results Of 114 articles screened, 86 met the inclusion criteria. They explored the impact of a relative's disease on 14,661 family members, mostly 'parents' or 'mothers', using 50 different instruments across 18 specialities including neurology, oncology and dermatology, in 33 countries including the USA, China and Australia. These studies revealed a huge impact of patients' illness on family members. An appraisal of family QoL instruments identified 48 instruments, 42 disease/speciality specific and six generic measures. Five of the six generics are aimed at carers of children, people with disability or restricted to chronic disease. The only generic instrument that measures the impact of any condition on family members across all specialities is the Family Reported Outcome Measure (FROM-16). Although most instruments demonstrated good reliability and validity, only 11 reported responsiveness and only one reported the minimal clinically important difference. Conclusions Family members' QoL is greatly impacted by a relative's condition. To support family members, there is a need for a generic tool that offers flexibility and brevity for use in clinical settings across all areas of medicine. FROM-16 could be the tool of choice, provided its robustness is demonstrated with further validation of its psychometric properties.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Shivani Saini ◽  
◽  
Agarwal Shail ◽  
Jain Manish ◽  
Yadav Devendra ◽  
...  

Background: Dermatophytosis is a common fungal infection affecting 20-25% of the world population. Aims: Our study was aimed to assess its impact on health-related quality of life(QoL), mental health, and various variables. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was done from April 2019 to September 2019 on 174 patients of dermatophytosis of aged more than 16 years with their informed consent. The impact of infection on the quality of life was assessed by using the Dermatology life quality index questionnaire and General health questionnaire-12 was used to assess psychological impact. A visual analogue scale was used to assess the severity of pruritus. Appropriate statistical tests were applied. Results: Males to females ratio was 1.4:1. The age group of 21-30 was having the highest number of patients with the mean age of 27.8±9.97. Most patients had BSA under 10%. The mean value of DLQI and GHQ-12 were found 15.989±7.407 and 2.8563±2.8964, respectively. We found that dermatophytosis had a very large effect on the quality of life as the maximum number of patients(39%) were within this category. The “work and school” part in the questionnaire gained maximum importance(52.8%). The mean VAS score was 6±2.733 with most patients(32.7%) had moderate itching. We found a positive correlation between VAS and DLQI, VAS and GHQ-12, DLQI, and GHQ-12 with the statistical significance. Conclusion: In our study dermatophytosis affected the quality of life as well as the psychological health of patients. Therefore proper treatment of superficial dermatophtytosis is essential to prevent it from further complications


2011 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 514
Author(s):  
Isabelle Katherinne Fernandes Costa ◽  
Gabriela De Sousa Martins Melo ◽  
Thalyne Yuri de Araújo Farias Dias ◽  
Francis Solange Vieira Tourinho ◽  
Bertha Cruz Enders ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Objective: to evaluate the available evidence on the impact of pain on daily life of people with venous ulcers. Method: this is a study of integrative review followed the following steps: establishing the hypothesis and objectives, establishing criteria for inclusion or exclusion of articles, defining the information to be extracted from the selected items, results analysis, discussion and presentation of results. To select the articles we used three databases, Medline, Cinahl and ISI Web of Knowledge and the sample consisted of 18 articles. Results: in the works that were analyzed showed evidence that the pain of venous ulcers influences the patient's daily life. Among people with venous ulcers, we found that the pain is a major aggravating to decreased quality of life, especially as regards the loss of mood, sleep disturbance, social isolation and loss of physical mobility. Conclusion: The pain of the wound can lead to a huge impact on the daily life of a person and, as such, the need of each patient must be acknowledged and considered in a holistic manner. Descriptors: venous ulcers; quality of life; pain; nursing.      RESUMOObjetivo: avaliar as evidências disponíveis sobre a influência da dor na vida diária da pessoa com úlcera venosa. Método: trata-se de um estudo de revisão integrativa obedeceu às seguintes etapas: estabelecimento da hipótese e objetivos; estabelecimento de critérios de inclusão e exclusão de artigos; definição das informações a serem extraídas dos artigos selecionados; análise dos resultados; discussão e apresentação dos resultados. Para a seleção dos artigos utilizou-se três bases de dados, Medline, Cinahl e Isi Web Of Knowledge e a amostra constituiu-se de 18 artigos. Resultados: nos trabalhos que foram analisados evidenciamos que a dor da úlcera venosa influencia na vida diária do paciente. Dentre as pessoas com úlcera venosa, verificamos que a dor é um dos grandes agravantes para a diminuição da qualidade de vida, principalmente no que diz respeito a perda do humor, distúrbios do sono, isolamento social e perda da mobilidade física. Conclusão: a dor da ferida pode levar a um enorme impacto na vida de uma pessoa diariamente e, como tal, a necessidade de cada paciente deve ser reconhecida e considerada de maneira holística. Descritores: úlcera venosa; qualidade de vida; dor; enfermagem.RESUMENObjetivo: evaluar la evidencia disponible sobre el impacto del dolor en la vida cotidiana de las personas con úlceras venosas. Método: se trata de un estudio de revisión integradora seguido los siguientes pasos: el establecimiento de la hipótesis y objetivos, el establecimiento de los criterios para su inclusión o exclusión de los artículos, la definición de la información que se extrae de los elementos seleccionados, la análisis de resultados, discusión y presentación de resultados. Para seleccionar los artículos que utilizaron tres bases de datos, Medline, CINAHL y el ISI Web of Knowledge y la muestra estuvo constituida por 18 artículos. Resultados: en las obras que fueron analizados mostraron evidencia de que el dolor de las úlceras venosas influye en la vida diaria del paciente. Entre las personas con úlceras venosas, se encontró que el dolor es una de las principales agravantes de disminución de la calidad de vida, especialmente en lo que respecta a la pérdida del estado de ánimo, trastornos del sueño, aislamiento social y pérdida de movilidad física. Conclusión: el dolor de la herida puede causar un gran impacto en la vida cotidiana de una persona y, como tal, la necesidad de cada paciente debe ser reconocida y considerada en forma integral. Descriptores: úlceras venosas; calidad de vida; dolor; enfermería.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 159-168
Author(s):  
A.M.F. Schreurs ◽  
M.C.I. LIER ◽  
D.B.M. Koning ◽  
C.W.A. Brals ◽  
M.A. De Boer ◽  
...  

Background: Spontaneous Haemoperitoneum in Pregnancy (SHiP) is a rare, but life-threatening complication of pregnancy that occurs predominantly in the third trimester of pregnancy and is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Recently the largest case series in literature was published describing 11 Dutch cases of SHiP in women with endometriosis. Purpose: To investigate experiences, psychological impact, and quality of life after SHiP. Methods: A mixed-methods study was performed in women with a history of SHiP and their partners, including all known cases in the Netherlands between 2007 to 2015. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were organized between 2016 and 2017 and analysed thematically with a framework approach. Participants were asked to complete questionnaires investigating the impact of the event (Impact of Event Scale) and Quality of Life (RAND-36). Results: Out of a total of 11 known cases, 7 women agreed for be individually interviewed. From these, all women described a freeze response at the moment of SHiP, combined with either an anxious reaction or a survival mode mind-set. All women received psychological help after SHiP. Still, the feeling of not being heard by the medical staff was present in all women. Other themes such as postpartum period, bonding with their child, effect on daily life, reviving the event, and future pregnancies were also identified in the interviews. In regard to their partners, 3 were interviewed, hence no saturation was achieved. Finally, the questionnaires showed lower Quality of Life and an impact score of ≥ 8/10. Conclusion: SHiP had a profound impact on women and their partners. Dedicated psychological help should be offered to all women after experiencing SHiP.


2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-34
Author(s):  
Wiwin Wiarsih

Angka kematian ibu ditentukasn oleh tingkat kesejahteraan individu wanita hamil dalam keluarga. Kondisi ini akan menentukan tingkat kesehtan dan perkembangan anak sebagai satu faktor yang menentukan kesehatan dan menjadi satu indicator dari keejahteraan suatu Negara. Penyebab utama tingginya angka kematian ibu di Negara-negara berkembang adalah belum optimalnya penanganan kasus-kasus berisiko. Penatalaksanaan kasus-kasus berisiko dilakukan terlambat karena kurangnya kesadaran klien untuk mengatasi masalah-masalah kesehatannya, kurangnya informasi, kurangnya jangkauan pelayanan kesehata, dan kurang berkualitasnya sumber daya manusia khususnya pada petugas pelayan kesehatan. Wanita hamil adalah salah satu populasi yang seharusnya diberikan perhatian lebh karena setiap wanita hamil mempunyai kesempatan yang sama untuk mendapatkan penanganan masalah-masalah kesehatan. Faktor-faktor risiko memungkinkanseorang wanita hamil menjadi berisiko tinggi untuk mempunyai masalah-masalah kesehatan, termasuk status sosial ekonomi dan sosio demografi, stress dan gaya hidup, dan praktek kesehatan personal. Untuk menurunkan pengaruh label atau stigma “risiko’ dalam masyarakat adalah suatu tantangan untuk profesi kesehatan mengembangkan pendekatan yang efektif dalam pelayanan kesehatan sehingga akan didapatkab suatu hasil yang optimal. The level of individual well being in a family determines the maternal mortality rate. This condition will determine the level of child health and development as an important determinant of health that is an indicator of well being in a country. The main cause of high levels of of maternal mortality in developing countries as a lack of case management of the “at risk’ individual or population; management of “at risk” cases is too late. This is because of lack awareness of “at risk” client in overcoming the problems, lack of information, lack of access to health services, and lack of quality of human resource especially of health care every pregnant woman has the same probability of developing problems. The risk factors enable of pregnant women to become hig risk to have the health problems including socioeconomic status, sociodemographic status, life style and life events, and personal health practices. To decrease the impact of the “at risk” label or stigma in the community, a challenge for the health professional is to develop partnership and multisectoral approach with community so that an optimal outcome will be attained.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. e0249107
Author(s):  
Ayesha S. Al Dhaheri ◽  
Mo’ath F. Bataineh ◽  
Maysm N. Mohamad ◽  
Abir Ajab ◽  
Amina Al Marzouqi ◽  
...  

The COVID-19 pandemic is a major health crisis that has changed the life of millions globally. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of the pandemic on mental health and quality of life among the general population in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. A total of 6142 adults from eighteen countries within the MENA region completed an online questionnaire between May and June 2020. Psychological impact was assessed using the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) and the social and family support impact was assessed with questions from the Perceived Support Scale (PSS). The IES-R mean score was 29.3 (SD = 14.8), corresponding to mild stressful impact with 30.9% reporting severe psychological impact. Most participants (45%–62%) felt horrified, apprehensive, or helpless due to COVID-19. Furthermore, over 40% reported increased stress from work and financial matters. Higher IES-R scores were found among females, participants aged 26–35 years, those with lower educational level, and participants residing in the North Africa region (p<0.005). About 42% reported receiving increased support from family members, 40.5% were paying more attention to their mental health, and over 40% reported spending more time resting since the pandemic started. The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with mild psychological impact while it also encouraged some positive impact on family support and mental health awareness among adults in the MENA region. Clinical interventions targeted towards vulnerable groups such as females and younger adults are needed.


2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 13
Author(s):  
Tatjana Ivanković Zrnić ◽  
Dragana Bojinović Rodić ◽  
Jelena Nikolić Pucar ◽  
Mirjana Vučurević Ozren

A chronic wound can greatly impair the quality of life of patients. Early we can consider chronic if there is no complete healing after six weeks of treatment. Over time, several different instruments have been developed to monitor the impact of a chronic wound on the quality of life of patients. The original required a lot of time to complete, remained incomplete, and there was a need to develop a standardized, short, multi-dimensional questionnaire. This led to the formation of a “Wound-QoL” questionnaire used in assessing the quality of life of patients with a chronic wound.In our institution, a pilot study was conducted on the impact of chronic wounds on the quality of life of patients, using a validated questionnaire. The study included 32 patients whose wounds were transplanted to the Institute. The questionnaires were completed at the beginning of the wound treatment at the institution.In physical terms, a chronic wound has a central impact on our respondents, but its psychological impact is most pronounced. On everyday activities, the influence of the wound is assessed in men as small, and an equal number of women consider it to have a small and big effect. Respondents believe that treating chronic wounds does not carry a large financial burden. It is necessary to assess the quality of life of patients with chronic wound before and after treatment and possible healing of the wound in order to see the impact of chronic wounds on the positive psychological state of the wound and the motivation to heal.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 223-225
Author(s):  
Abdeljalil Heddat ◽  
◽  
Younes Houry ◽  
Ghassane Elomri ◽  
Redoune Rabii ◽  
...  

Since December 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic has known a rapid and distressing spread. Little is known about the sexual impact on infected patients. However, several studies have reported a significant psychological impact on the population.The objective of our study is to assess the impact of the COVID19 pandemic on the sexuality of individuals who have been infected with the virus.Our study focuses on a population of 50 Moroccan patients initially declared to have COVID-19, using a multiple choice questionnaire on sexuality before and after infection with the virus. All participants were part of a couple in which at least one of the two partners had been infected with SARS-CoV-2.The results showed that all subjects were sexually active before their infection, of which 20% were dissatisfied with their sex life. At the time of our study, 78% of the recovered patients had not resumed sexual activity. 60% said they were anxious about having sex and 81% said the pandemic had altered their sex life. Only one patient reports an increase in libido and an improvement in the quality of orgasm. A couple reported having resumed sexual activity but with a change in their relationships.Anxiety and fear of infecting the other are major concerns, which affect the resumption of normal sexual activity and which sometimes lead to a change in sexual practices.


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