Published online Jun 14, 2024. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v30.i22.2893
Revised: April 25, 2024
Accepted: May 17, 2024
Published online: June 14, 2024
Processing time: 93 Days and 21.9 Hours
This study employed a phenomenological research approach within qualitative research to explore the challenges encountered by elderly individuals with temporary colostomies in managing their daily lives and care needs. Protecting the anus surgery combined with temporary colostomy has emerged as a prevalent treatment modality for low rectal cancer. However, the ileostomy is susceptible to peri-stoma skin complications, as well as fluid, electrolyte, and nutritional imbalances, posing challenges to effective management. The successful self-management of patients is intricately linked to their adjustment to temporary colostomy; nonetheless, there remains a dearth of research examining the factors influencing self-care among temporary colostomy patients and the obstacles they confront.
To investigate the lived experiences, perceptions, and care requirements of temporary colostomy patients within their home environment, with the ultimate goal of formulating a standardized management protocol.
Over the period of June to August 2023, a purposive sampling technique was utilized to select 12 patients with temporary intestinal stomas from a tertiary hospital in Shanghai, China. Employing a phenomenological research approach, a semi-structured interview guide was developed, and qualitative interviews were conducted using in-depth interview techniques. The acquired data underwent coding, analysis, organization, and summarization following Colaizzi’s seven-step method.
The findings of this study revealed that the experiences and needs of patients with temporary intestinal stomas can be delineated into four principal themes: Firstly, Temporary colostomy patients bear various burdens and concerns about the uncertainty of disease progression; secondly, patients exhibit limited self-care capabilities and face information deficits, resulting in heightened reliance on healthcare professionals; thirdly, patients demonstrate the potential for internal motivation through proactive self-adjustment; and finally, patients express a significant need for emotional and social support.
Home-living patients with temporary intestinal stomas confront multifaceted challenges encompassing burdens, inadequate self-care abilities, informational deficits, and emotional needs. Identifying factors influencing patients’ self-care at home and proposing strategies to mitigate barriers can serve as a foundational framework for developing and implementing nursing interventions tailored to the needs of patients with temporary intestinal stomas.
Core Tip: This study delves into the obstacles encountered by elderly individuals with temporary colostomies, with a particular focus on the complications affecting the skin around the stoma and the challenges associated with maintaining proper fluid, electrolyte, and nutritional balance. While effective self-management is crucial, there is a noticeable gap in research examining the factors that influence self-care and coping mechanisms. The findings highlight the significant burdens, insufficient self-care abilities, informational deficits, and emotional needs experienced by these patients at home. Identifying the key determinants of self-care and proposing effective coping strategies can significantly contribute to the development of personalized nursing care plans. Moreover, the study emphasizes the importance of providing enhanced informational support, utilizing social resources, and improving the quality of post-discharge assistance to adequately address the diverse needs of individuals with temporary colostomies.