patients’ perception of fatty liver disease: a phenomenological study

patients’ perception of fatty liver disease: a phenomenological study h habibzadeh , msc f alhani, phd m anusheh , phd hr omrani , bsc received: 16 july, 2009 accepted: 25 oct, 2009 abstract background & aims: paying attention to symptoms and subjective experiences perceived by the patients of various diseases is a valid approach to medical or nursing diagnosis. considering the experiences of intact patients and their true feelings guarantee the effectiveness of any program of care and education.this study was designed to investigate fatty liver patients’ perception and experience. materials & methods: this study using a phenomenological approach was conducted through in-depth interviews. in addition all non-verbal behavior and patient notes were used in the field. the samples consisted of nine fatty liver patients being selected with purposeful sampling method. the data were analyzed using thematic analysis of transcribed interviews. results: a total of three main themes were obtained. in fatty liver patients’ opinion family support, commitment to lifestyle changes and being hopful were the most important factor in disease progression or regression. conclusion: experiencing a new lifestyle, the need to family support, and eventually motivating them to be hopeful is savior. a correct management of fatty liver disease and other chronic diseases is emphasized. keywords: fatty liver, phenomenology, patients’ perception address: nursing faculty, tarbiat modares university, tehran, iran tel:(+98) 09143613011 e-mail: [email protected]