Table 2.
Examples of the systematic process in the structural analysis.
| Units of meaning (Quotations) | Units of significance | Themes and subthemes |
|---|---|---|
| Hospital phase: | Struggling to regain a sense of control | |
| The patient says to the nurse: “I don’t want to go home yet … I’m too tired …I’ll only fall back into my old ways” (FN, P12) | Unprepared and seeking to prolong the stay at hospital | Building up strength and readiness for discharge |
| “The patient is training on the stairs … he relates that he has | ||
| managed to get rehabilitation help, so he can climb the stairs at home … he pumps his fist in his hand” (FN, P6). | Motivated to influence decisions | |
| Patient: “I would like to know if my COPD has got worse.” Doctor: “Yes, that’s the nature of the illness …” The patient later relates that she is happy with the doctor’s explanation (FN, P13) | Informed appropriately to be able to relate to own situation | Seeking clarity and confidence |
| “The nurse is instructing the patient in using a new inhalation medicine … the patient is silent … the nurse encourages her to ask the evening nurse for help … the patient sighs: “If I can just figure it out””(FN, P1) | Overwhelmed and feeling incompetent | |
| Home phase: | Striving to comply with received advice and encouragement to maintain well-being | |
| Patient: “The doctor said that it was COPD and that I should learn to live with it … I was a bit angry … despondent … now I can’t do this and I can’t do that” (IW P15, 11 months after discharge) | Discouraged and seeking to renegotiate the meaning of living | Struggling to stay motivated and confident |
| Patient: “I had a few sessions with a healthcare person … we made some goals for my daily life … I need structure … and then I can beat the anxiety” (IW P2, 8 months after discharge) | Empowered to make everyday life work better | |
| Patient: “The doctors say that I should go to the doctor in good time, but I try to put it off … it’s stupid, I can see that myself” (IW P9, 6 months after discharge) | Advised to seek help in good time but reluctant | Asking for help |
|
The patient relates about her anxiety at night: Patient: “When I was hospitalized, they [the health professionals] suggested a psychologist, but nothing is happening!” Nurse: ”Unfortunately, we don’t have that option. You need to go to your own doctor” (FN P5, out-patient clinic, 7 months after discharge) |
Frustrated about not getting the help expected | |