Experiences of self-management behaviors during adaptation to permanent enterostomy among older patients: A qualitative study
- 1School of Nursing, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China.
- 2Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China.
Abstract
Object: This study aimed to explore the experiences and perceived changes in self-management behaviors among older patients with a permanent stoma during adaptation, providing insights for the development of targeted supportive interventions. Methods: Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with 13 older colorectal cancer patients with a permanent stoma. All interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. The data were analyzed and thematically refined using Colaizzi’s seven-step method. Results: Three overarching themes and several sub-themes were identified. Theme one, decision-making dilemmas and uncertainty, included insufficient and poorly tailored decision support resources and challenges in processing complex self-management information. Theme two, reconstructing daily life and identity after stoma formation, encompassed disruptions in body image and daily routines, emotional struggles between rejection and acceptance, and the development of a new normal in living with a stoma. Theme three, developing resilience through accumulated experience and self-management practice, involved learning through repeated self-adjustment, drawing on previous life experiences as coping resources, and redefining life priorities after illness. Conclusion: The findings suggest that older patients living with a permanent stoma experience self-management as an ongoing process involving decisional challenges, psychological adjustment, and the gradual reconstruction of resilience. Healthcare professionals should provide continuous decision support, psychological care, and family-inclusive interventions while adopting a strength-based approach that recognizes patients’ existing abilities and lived experiences. Supporting patients in reflecting on their adaptation experiences and accumulated coping strategies may enhance self-efficacy and facilitate sustained self-management.
Related
- Experiences towards endometriosis management: A qualitative study among patients and healthcare professionals
- How Past Experiences Shape New Beliefs: Generalisation and Adaptation in Human Reinforcement Learning
- Informal carers’ experiences of mental health services regarding supporting those they care for and getting support for their own wellbeing: A systematic umbrella review of qualitative evidence
- Experiences of palliative care for patients with pulmonary fibrosis: A qualitative exploration of patients and partners perspectives
- Knowledge and experiences of overdose among formerly incarcerated people living with HIV and hazardous opioid use in South Africa: A qualitative study
BibTeX
@article{duan2026experiences,
title = {{Experiences of self-management behaviors during adaptation to permanent enterostomy among older patients: A qualitative study}},
author = {Zhichao Duan and Fang Wu},
journal = {PLOS One},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0360643},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0360643},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Experiences of self-management behaviors during adaptation to permanent enterostomy among older patients: A qualitative study
AU - Zhichao Duan
AU - Fang Wu
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/29
JO - PLOS One
DO - 10.1371/journal.pone.0360643
UR - https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0360643
AB - Object: This study aimed to explore the experiences and perceived changes in self-management behaviors among older patients with a permanent stoma during adaptation, providing insights for the development of targeted supportive interventions. Methods: Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with 13 older colorectal cancer patients with a permanent stoma. All interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. The data were analyzed and thematically refined using Colaizzi’s seven-step method. Results: Three overarching themes and several sub-themes were identified. Theme one, decision-making dilemmas and uncertainty, included insufficient and poorly tailored decision support resources and challenges in processing complex self-management information. Theme two, reconstructing daily life and identity after stoma formation, encompassed disruptions in body image and daily routines, emotional struggles between rejection and acceptance, and the development of a new normal in living with a stoma. Theme three, developing resilience through accumulated experience and self-management practice, involved learning through repeated self-adjustment, drawing on previous life experiences as coping resources, and redefining life priorities after illness. Conclusion: The findings suggest that older patients living with a permanent stoma experience self-management as an ongoing process involving decisional challenges, psychological adjustment, and the gradual reconstruction of resilience. Healthcare professionals should provide continuous decision support, psychological care, and family-inclusive interventions while adopting a strength-based approach that recognizes patients’ existing abilities and lived experiences. Supporting patients in reflecting on their adaptation experiences and accumulated coping strategies may enhance self-efficacy and facilitate sustained self-management.
SN - 1932-6203
ER -