15 Jan • The ability to adapt and develop

Assignment

1. Conduct an Interview

Identify someone to interview that has been diagnosed with a chronic condition for at least a year. If possible it should be someone that has one of the three conditions that we are studying. However, it can be someone with another chronic condition. Whatever the diagnosis it will be important to review the usual treatment plan for the condition.

In order to gain the most from this assignment good communication skills are essential (Refer to your readings on MI). Utilize open-ended questions and reflections. Keep in mind that two reflections from each open-ended question is ideal. Summarizing is a good way to demonstrate listening, and to help you move on to the next topic. Your effectiveness in gaining needed information for completing the written assignment is directly related to your ability in using the evidence-based communication skills of MI.

2. Getting It in Writing

The paper is to be written in narrative style, with each section and subsection (where indicated) clearly identified. The paper should be 1600-2100 words long. Writing should be in the third person. Direct quotes by the interviewee are appropriate but should not be relied on too heavily.

The paper should include an understanding of the interviewee’s overview of the condition. Determine the impact of the condition on the patient’s ability to maintain a wellness perspective through review of three tasks identified by Corbin and Strauss (1988), as discussed by Lorig and Holman (2003).

Your paper should include these components:

• Introduction. The introduction should include the approximate age, diagnosis, living situation, support system, and the length of time since diagnosis of the condition. There should be a clear description of the interviewee experience over the course of the diagnosis with the chronic condition. If possible, include a description of how advanced the condition is and of the treatment plan.

• Wellness perspective. This is the wellness perspective as advanced by Corbin and Strauss’s three tasks. Grading will be determined by how well the answer provides complete information on the three tasks and answer the questions outlined. This should represent the interviewee’s perspective. • Medical management of the condition. Gain an understanding of the interviewee’s experience with her/his chronic condition. How well is the interviewee adhering to the medical treatment plan? It is important to delineate aspects of the plan, to provide clarity as to what aspects of the plan the interviewee is managing well and what aspects he/she is not managing well.

• The ability to adapt and develop new meaningful life roles. Identify how the chronic condition has affected life roles: the person’s job and their role as a husband/wife and/or father/mother? How well have they accommodated their roles to their chronic condition? How have family and friends supported or not supported the interviewee’s adaptation?

• Dealing with the emotional impact of the condition. What has been the emotional cost of the condition and how has the person coped?

• Analysis of interviewee’s self-management. This part of the paper is an analysis of how well the interviewee is self-managing; here you should identify the interviewee’s strengths and weaknesses. The conclusions made should be supported with information from the interview.

• Nursing care. This analysis should include what you as a nurse would focus on if working with this patient to improve his or her self-management.

• Conclusion/summary. Summarize the paper. Be concise in reiterating the main topic of your paper and its main points.