Waiting for surgery; living a life on hold : A continuous struggle against a faceless system

• This interpretive-phenomenological study examined the lived experience of being on the waiting list for arthroplastic surgery of the knee or hip and its impact on daily life. The interviews reveal that respondents experience suffering from different points of view; illness-, caring- and life- suffering. Suffering leads to a struggle in order to have their caring needs met and the struggle is often fruitless - against a faceless enemy - "the system". No one is there to answer their plea or to address the frustration that then arises and, in combination with their present life situation, this may lead to a disrupted self-image. Finding or creating meaning in suffering appears to be a crucial issue in the struggling process. Respondents who are able to preserve or create meaning in life may find it easier to accept the waiting times and wait for their turn in the queue. They are able to reformulate their life-world and live a full life, in spite of severe pain and disability.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Omvårdnad (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Nursing (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Pain

communication

information

arthritis

Nursing

Omvårdnad

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)