Psychosocial effects on quality of life of the patients with a colostomy
Lemonia Papadopoulou, Fotini Papoulia
Monday, September 1, 2014
Publication year:
2014
Authors:
- Papadopoulou Lemonia, Register Nurse, General Hospital “Agios Pavlos”, Thessaloniki, Greece
- Papoulia Fotini, Register Nurse, General Hospital “Agios Pavlos”, Thessaloniki, Greece
Keywords index:
Pages: 142-149
Abstract:
Introduction: The colostomy creates various psychosocial effects on patients who are experiencing feelings of anger, anxiety and fear for the evolution of their health status.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to review the Greek and international literature about the association between mental and social responses of individuals with a colostomy and their quality of life.
Methodology : The methodology included recent articles mainly during the last five years on the subject that were found in the electronic database Medline and Greek Academic Libraries Link (HEAL-Link).
Results: The review of the literature revealed that, the change of the body image, the loss of attractiveness, the sense of odors and the fear of an accident are psychological factors that significantly affect a normal sexual life. Furthermore, the control of a colostomy, the return to a full social and professional life, the good physical and psychological state are evidence of a prolonged process by which the nurse can contribute decisively to the future course of life of the patients, but also to improve their quality of life.
Conclusions: Every hospitalized patient with an ostomy has the care and support of the nursing staff. Consequently, the task of the nurse is to inform and teach the patient about his specificity, so leaving the hospital to handle with the less problems as possible.
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