Lived Experience of Sickle Cell Patients during and after Crisis

Abstract

Aims and Objectives: To understand the lived experience and needs of patients with sickle cell disease during and two weeks after their crisis and identify the obstacles faced by patients while they are in the hospital. Background: Although there is no specific data of a number of affected individuals with sickle cell disease in Oman based on their age, the majority of the Omani population are youth. This category of the population is either in their high school or working in the governmental or private sector in the country. When the most productive category of the population are getting frequently absent due to sickle cell crisis and complication of sickle cell crisis from their work, this leads to huge financial and human resource burden. Design: Phenomenology. Method: This qualitative descriptive research was conducted using face-to-face interviews based on an interview protocol. The interview protocol was developed by the authors based on a framework called domains of well-being. Twenty adult patients have been recruited for the interview after meeting inclusion criteria and were asked about their well-being and lived experience during sickle cell crisis. Authors used SRQR checklist in reporting the study. Results: Thirteen themes were identified related to patients’ lived experience and their well-being during sickle cell crisis. Patients reported physical, emotional, social, and spiritual alteration. Major themes that emerged are communication, medical team interpretation of genuine pain, Emotional disturbance during the crisis, What does this study contribute to the wider global clinical community? Nurses and doctors should use therapeutic communication when dealing with sickle cell patients. Nurses should establish rapport and trust with patients. In each health care setting, there should be a social worker to deal with patients with chronic illness social relationships between the patient, family and friends, post-discharge status, spiritual and Islamic activities, and physical abilities. Conclusion: Participants’ physical and psychological statuses were mostly affected. Moreover, participants experienced extreme emotional disturbance during a painful crisis. However, it was not well understood why participants experienced post sickle cell crisis symptoms which need to be further investigated. Relevance to Clinical Practice: Understanding the lived experience of sickle cell patients may help improve nursing and medical care provided to them and enhance better outcomes for patients. These findings made the nurses and physicians plan a strategy of treating sickle cell patients using a holistic approach.