OC37 - Adolescents with cystic fibrosis: their perspective

Abstract

UNLABELLED: Theme: Complex health care and chronic disease management. INTRODUCTION: The adolescent with cystic fibrosis suffers from organic distresses and requires support to deal with the physical symptoms and the psychosocial adaptation. AIM: Realize the experience of growing up with cystic fibrosis from the adolescent point of view. METHODOLOGY: Data grounded theory as investigation method and interpretation by Meleis Theory. Study group with 16 adolescents and data collected by interview. RESULTS: From the content analysis of the interviews, we established that the adolescents were living development and health-illness type transitions. We identified the dimension 'developing trust and coping' as adjustment strategy to new contexts. DISCUSSION: The adolescents' speeches reflected behaviors of involvement in the transition process, being a positive result to the psychosocial development and positive life experience at this stage. CONCLUSION: The follow up from healthcare professionals may transform a stressful situation into a state of trust. It can also reveal and pinpoint resource strategies to enable adaptation to new circumstances.