Psychosocial Issues of Patients with Detected Drug-resistant Bacteria and Their Families who Perform Home-based Medical Treatment, as Reported by Visiting Nurses

Abstract

Objective: To clarify the psychological and social issues of patients and families with drug-resistant bacteria who receive home care while having drug-resistant bacteria.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nurses working at a home health care station to understand the psychological reactions of patients and their families who receive treatment at home with drug-resistant bacteria and their perceptions of the impact on their social lives.

Results: The following psychological issues were identified: [feelings caused by uncontrollable situations], [optimism due to invisibility], [unanswerable questions], and social issues: [sense of not wanting to be discriminated], [psychological distance from family members who live apart], [limitation of access to day care and facility services]. The results of this study revealed that the following social issues existed in the patients

Conclusion: Patients and their families who have detected drug-resistant bacteria have feelings that arise in situations that are difficult to control and a sense of not wanting to be discriminated against by others. They are concerned about social isolation due to discrimination and prejudice, and they are concerned that their access to day-care/facility services may be restricted due to the detection of drug-resistant bacteria. The results suggest that the burden of caregiving by family members increases when they are restricted from using day-care and facility services due to the detection of drug-resistant bacteria.