“Don’t Rock the Boat”: A Qualitative Narrative Study Exploring Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients’ Experience of Illness and Biologics
Year: 2020
Type: dissertation
Abstract: To date, we know little about the relationship between the experiences of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and experiences of Biologic treatment, and what these medications mean to people. This study sought to examine this relationship. Through narrative analysis, using the boat as a metaphor to illustrate the storylines within which 8 participants accounts of illness and medication experiences were emplotted and embedded, two story typologies were defined. ‘Biologics as Life Preservers’ represented Biologics as something that can be donned when needed. ‘Biologics as Life Boats’ represented Biologics as rescuing participants from an identity-damaging illness. These stories illuminate what it is like to be on boat that has metaphorically capsized, to be saved from the rough waters of disease, to have that ‘rescue’ jeopardized by others, to be at the mercy of those who control access to care. The study findings hold implications for adherence research, clinician-patient interactions, and drug reimbursement policies.
Source: TSpace (University of Toronto)
Author: Meagan Rachich
Language: English
Subfield: Rheumatology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W3154923586