| dc.description.abstract | Purpose: To investigate problems and needs of patients with glaucoma regarding daily self-management, in preparation for the development of a nursing intervention.
Methods: This study utilized a sequential exploratory mixed methods design and included patients with glaucoma, receiving outpatient care ≥ 1.5 year and using ≥ 1 year eye drops. A 69-items questionnaire, based on the Attitude-Social influence-self-Efficacy-model identified problems in daily self-management and patient interviews captured the depth of needs regarding daily self-management.
Results: 39 patients completed the questionnaire and 10 patients were interviewed. Patients showed generally high self-management and reported to have knowledge of glaucoma. However, interviewees raised much questions about glaucoma. Most of the patients indicated that important people near them think that they should use eye drops. However, interviewees don’t talk about glaucoma or problems involved. Refusing to ask questions about glaucoma was indicated by interviewees as a result of doctors who are too busy. A little interest from doctors, sufficient information at time of diagnosis and insight into consults is what patients expect from their visits at the hospital.
Conclusions: The questionnaire identified problems, which should be tackled in an intervention to improve daily self-management. Needs in daily self-management included: interest from doctors, sufficient information at time of diagnosis and insight into consults. Professionals can influence these factors in order to improve daily self-management. The findings of this study could facilitate the continued development of a nursing intervention in order to improve daily self-management for patients with glaucoma. | |
