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Disease perception and experience in people with diabetic retinopathy: A qualitative study

  • Chunmei Fan,
  • Yuzhao Liu,
  • Baosha Huai,
  • Yuan Sheng,
  • Tinglan Wu,
  • Wei Gao,
  • Hongmei Chen,
  • Hong Wang,
  • Yangang Wang

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/nop2.1462
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 10, no. 4
pp. 2150 – 2157

Abstract

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Abstract Aim The aim of this study was to investigate the lived experience of people with diabetic retinopathy and to understand the impact of the disease on them including the practical problems faced in the day‐to‐day life. Design Descriptive qualitative research. Methods A convenience sample of 11 patients with diabetic retinopathy who were hospitalized in a tertiary hospitals in Shandong province of China were enrolled. Data were collected using semi‐structured in‐depth interviews. The six‐stage thematic analysis of Braun and Clarke was used for data analysis. Results Three themes and 12 sub‐themes were extracted, namely: countdown to darkness (lack of disease knowledge, bystander's perspective, distrust of grassroots hospitals); Endless abyss (action restrictions, social isolation, stigma, lost of meaning in life, catastrophizing explanations, a heavy burden); Light chaser (craving for light, turning points in behaviour, self‐adjustment).

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