Feelings and expectations of permanent colostomy patients

Abstract

Objective: Original article, based on field research that sought to describe the challenges that persons face when adapting to a permanent colostomy. Design: Data were collected through a semi-structuralized interview and analyzed using the technique of Content Analysis proposed by Bardin. Subjects and Setting: five participants in the Ostomy Program of the City Health Department of Capão do Leão, Brasil.

Methods: Qualitative descriptive study, conducted from July to September of 2005, in the city of Capão do Leão, State of Rio Grande does Sul/Brazil.

Results: The categorization of the data led to identification of three thematic units. The first we described as “Experiencing the consequences of illness as a disorder”. The second was “Restoring a sense of order to life”, and the third was “Living with the new condition”. Reflections illuminated by the complex thought were pointed out as possibilities of a care for the human being, capable of making choices and of actively participating of its process of health and illness.

Conclusion: We concluded that a having permanent ostomy was difficult for the subjects and restoring the sense of an orderly life was complex.