A model of the process of transformation in primary care for people living with chronic illnesses.

Objectives: The objective of the research was to construct a conceptual framework that explains the process of personal transformation within a primary care context for people living with chronic illnesses.

Methods: A literature search of articles published from 1990 to 2007 in CINAHL, ERIC, Healthstar, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, dissertation abstracts and SocINFO databases, was conducted to identify qualitative research studies investigating personal change in chronic illness or disability. Five hundred and fifty-six articles were identified; the researchers conducted a metasynthesis of a subgroup of these articles whose focus was on transformation in primary care (n = 5).

Occupational performance modification and personal change among clients receiving rehabilitation services for rheumatoid arthritis.

Background:   A client's personal process of change is recognised as an important element in the rehabilitation process that may affect the acceptance and outcome of recommended occupational therapy self-management interventions. Recent research has examined the transformative process of changing underlying values, beliefs, feelings and knowledge, collectively known as meaning perspectives, in clients receiving rehabilitation for various chronic conditions.

Aim/methods:   This article presents the findings of a Grounded Theory Qualitative retrospective study of 10 adults diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis receiving occupational therapy to modify their daily living environment and activities to maximise the quality of life and occupational performance.

The process of change: listening to transformation in meaning perspectives of adults in arthritis health education groups.

Purpose: This study explored client experiences in two different arthritis education groups to develop an understanding of meaningful group experiences in the process of change leading to desired health outcomes.

Method: A qualitative framework with an inductive, descriptive, phenomenological method guided the study. Ten participants with rheumatoid or inflammatory arthritis were recruited.

Transformation of meaning perspectives in clients with rheumatoid arthritis.

The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the process of transformation of personal beliefs, values, feelings, and knowledge (meaning perspectives) underlying occupational change in a small group of clients with rheumatoid arthritis during home-based rehabilitation. A grounded theory approach used to collect and analyze data concurrently included: (1) a sample of five adult clients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in occupational therapy, (2) data collection through 28 semi-directed interviews, and (3) data analysis using the constant comparison method. The study identified meaning perspectives of these clients with rheumatoid arthritis and explored the transformation of perspectives related to the modification of occupational performance.