What do knee OA patients perceive about their disorder? A qualitative study
ISSN: 1366-3666
Article publication date: 3 December 2021
Issue publication date: 28 April 2022
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to explore patient’s perception of their disorder.
Design/methodology/approach
This study used a phenomenographical approach within a qualitative research paradigm. A total of 21 patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) were recruited for the study, and data were collected through open-ended face-to-face interviews. The interviews were transcribed and thematically analyzed. The transcribed verbatim was analyzed for themes.
Findings
The themes developed reflected the patients’ perceptions about the disease process. Thematic analysis revealed three themes: Knee OA is a degenerative disease, Knee OA is an age-related disease and Knee OA is caused by certain activities of daily living. The patient’s information varied and was limited to what had been provided by the health-care practitioner. The knowledge was more biomedical in orientation and was limited and not supported by the evidence.
Research limitations/implications
There is a need to provide evidence-based information that the patient must understand. Health-care providers must use a biopsychosocial framework to discuss the disease knowledge with patients.
Practical implications
This study helps us in identifying disease perceptions that can be used to design education programs for knee OA patients. It also highlights the need for delivering educational programs to knee OA patients.
Originality/value
This study lays a foundation for further research. To the author’s best knowledge, this is the first study to explore disease perceptions using a qualitative approach conducted among patients from a lower middle-income country.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Author would like to thank all the participants who participated in the study.
Citation
Suhail, A. (2022), "What do knee OA patients perceive about their disorder? A qualitative study", Working with Older People, Vol. 26 No. 2, pp. 130-139. https://doi.org/10.1108/WWOP-11-2021-0056
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited