Self-Care Strategies in Managing Physical Discomfort: Experience of Patient with an Intestinal Stoma

Background: The physiological changes resulting from stoma formation necessitate that patients actively engage in self-care practices to manage their physical condition and maintain their well-being. In nursing, supporting and enhancing patients’ self-care abilities forms a key aspect of postoperative education and continuity of care. However, research on stoma self-care practice in Malaysia remains limited. This study aims to explore the self-care strategies employed by patients with an intestinal stoma in managing physical discomfort. Methods: This exploratory qualitative study employed a case study approach, using semi-structured interviews conducted among 17 patients with an intestinal stoma in a public hospital in Malaysia over an eight-month period. The data were analyzed using a framework analysis approach. Results: Three key themes emerged from the analysis: managing pain, stoma care, and adjustment of daily routines. Participants identified these self-care practices as their experience managing their physical discomfort due to having an intestinal stoma. Conclusion: The findings underscore the complexity and multifaceted nature of self-care among stoma patients. These insights are essential for nurses in Malaysia, particularly in developing supportive frameworks and interventions to enhance patients' self-care abilities, which ultimately improve their quality of life (QOL) and healthcare outcomes.