5 Stages of Illness

Critical Care, 2011

Anselm Strauss’s academic work prospered from his collaboration with Barney Glaser and their studies of dying. Out of those studies emerged the concept of ‘dying trajectory’, later, to become ‘illness trajectory’. This paper will argue that Strauss’ has offered the Sociology of Illness a central concept worthy of revision and development. The life-contingency role that Parsons argued no individual could avoid was conceptualised into a dynamic ongoing process. The illness trajectory is offered an account applicable to any illness situation, past or current, institutional, organisational or domestic, chronic or acute. The applications of the concept are numerous and can shed light on any practical or practitioner issue. The Sociology of Illness and Patient Care is indebted to Strauss for freeing its endeavours from the vice-like grip of Parsons’ ‘sick role’ and opening a field of study which, because of its universal impact, has a primary claim as ‘generic’ or ´holistic’. The concept’s development spans nearly half a century and promises to underwrite future work on the interaction between professionals and patients in illness care for at least as long. This paper outlines the concept, the approach which developed it and suggests some refinements and additions to meet recent development in health and illness care.

Health care is the core activity of nurses and technicians at all levels of health care. Health care can be provided in homes, hospitals and specialized institutions. Special attention must be directed to patients who are at the terminal phase of the disease.

1998

Most therapists believe that psychotherapy is a process: nonlinear, sometimes paradoxical and untamable, but, a process. Stages of that process are a theoretical construct, created to help the therapist orient her, structure the strategy and measure chosen achievement. Those steps are constructs and they are:

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES, 2020

FOREWORD With the latest technological developments in the field of health and medicine, the interest in research on the development of novel methods for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and the development of preventive health services has increased. Experts from different disciplines to identify common intersections for the solution of an existing problem, and experts working in each discipline to come up with appropriate solutions; and the fact that these experts act with the understanding of preventing diseases and sustainable health increases human health and quality of life. Multidisciplinary studies aimed at the comprehensive research and application of current issues in the fields of Medicine and Health Sciences are of importance. This book aims to introduce studies from disciplines related to Medicine and Health Sciences into the health sciences literature. I would like to thank the authors who contributed to the creation of this book and the reviewers who contributed to the evaluation of the studies. I wish success in all their studies that will contribute to the literature in the future.

Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 1991

Seminars in Oncology Nursing, 2001

Australian Critical Care, 2020

Background: Contemporary intensive care enables many critically ill patients to survive their initial illness; however, a small group of patients require a protracted stay in the intensive care unit (ICU), experiencing many complications throughout their illness. It is only when we understand the total illness experience from patients' and families' perspectives, as well as the complexity of care for healthcare professionals, that we can fully engage in developing services and promoting evidence-based practice to improve broad health outcomes and experiences for all groups. Objective: The objective of this study was to explore the trajectories of a prolonged critical illness in an ICU from the experiences of the patient, their family, and the healthcare professionals who provide care. Methods: This was a longitudinal, qualitative, multicase study of six cases from four New Zealand ICUs. Theoretical underpinnings were informed by the Chronic Illness Trajectory Framework. Each case consisted of the patient, their family members, and nurses and other healthcare professionals who provided care. Data collection methods included observations, conversations, interviews, and document review. Data were analysed using thematic analysis and trajectory mapping. Results: Regardless of the patient's admitting diagnosis, the trajectory of a prolonged critical illness is made up of common phases, determined by the patient's physiological condition. However, all subphases represented different psychosocial needs. The patients' debilitated state made them susceptible to complications and added to the complexity of their trajectory. The family's trajectory was informed by the patient's trajectory, and uncertainty dominated throughout. Each phase of the illness presented different challenges for healthcare professionals as they cared for this complex group of patients. Conclusion: The study highlights the distinct phases of a prolonged critical illness. Knowledge of these phases provides the ground work for improving care, not only for patients but also for their family and the healthcare professionals who provided care.

Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 2013