Iranian multiple sclerosis patients' perceptions about the sources of support to reach adjustment: A qualitative content analysis.

Abstract

Background: Most people with multiple sclerosis (MS) always crave for numerous sources of support to adjust to this health condition; however, there is limited information available about their perceptions and experiences of such sources. This study aimed to explore MS patients' perceptions regarding the sources of support to reach adjustment.

Materials and methods: This qualitative study was conducted in 2020-2022 through the conventional content analysis approach. Thirteen patients with MS, one patient companion, one nurse, and one physician were purposively and theoretically selected from the MS clinic of BouAli Hospital, Sari, Iran. Data were collected through face-to-face, in-depth, semi-structured interviews and were analyzed through the Graneheim and Lundman approach.

Results: Following data analysis, six sources of support emerged, including "family companionship," "the relative companionship of the spouse," "partial satisfaction with medical staff," "inattention and partial satisfaction with the National MS Society," "peers with empathic understanding," and "friends companionship," indicating the patients' perceptions of these sources to reach adjustment.

Conclusion: The MS patients had access to different sources of support to achieve adjustment. Married patients, particularly women, had a special feeling and experience of support. Most sufferers liked to talk with positive and high-spirited peers, and these sources of support had not met patients' expectations and needs. Therefore, suggestions were given to the healthcare managers to plan for removing limitations and take effective measures to help the sufferers reach adjustment, and consequently promote their quality of life.