Becoming a nomad when hospitalized with a neurological disease: a phenomenological study

Abstract

Patients with a neurological disease are affected by their ability to maintain focus and are easily disturbed by outside stimuli. Few studies have investigated how sensory impressions from the physical environment contribute to patient's wellbeing during hospitalization. However, no studies have explored the meaning of the environment to patients with a neurological disease during hospitalization. To understand what it is like to be a patient in a hospitalized environment at the neurological department. Nine patients were interviewed. Data analysis was inspired by the hermeneutic phenomenological methodology of van Manen. Four themes were identified: Perceiving unrest leading to despair; Angling for attention from staff; Being in a vacuum of imposed passivity; Seeking breathing spaces. The study provides insight into how environment plays a significant role in relation to existential issues for patients during hospitalization. Hence, the patients illuminate the experience of becoming nomads lurking around to find breathing spaces when they were not offered a calm and familiar environment. Patients shared that a hospital interior can be appealing and uplifting, decreasing their experiences of placelessness and thereby supporting them in a life situation where they feel less threatened concerning their health and wellbeing.

Aesthetics sets patients ‘free’ to recover during hospitalization with a neurological disease. A qualitative study

“…Thus, the aesthetic places became concrete places in which the participants could distance themselves from fellow patients and avoid the inciting noise. In our recent study (Beck et al, 2020 ) we showed how hospitalized patients with neurological symptoms become nomads during hospitalization in order to find places to endure being present in the hospital environment. (Beck et al, 2020 ) paved the way for this recent study, in which we conducted an aesthetic experiment in clinical practice.…”

“…Characteristics of most neurological diseases is that it challenges humans on its senses. It is also evident that hospitalization to the neurological unit has existential impact on people, hence, patients can experience loneliness during their stay at the hospital (Beck, et al, 2016 , 2018 , 2019 , 2020 ). Recent studies have shown how patients are becoming nomads lurking around to find breathing spaces when they were not offered a calm and familiar environment (Beck et al, 2020 ).…”

“…It is also evident that hospitalization to the neurological unit has existential impact on people, hence, patients can experience loneliness during their stay at the hospital (Beck, et al, 2016 , 2018 , 2019 , 2020 ). Recent studies have shown how patients are becoming nomads lurking around to find breathing spaces when they were not offered a calm and familiar environment (Beck et al, 2020 ). However, the quality within introducing aesthetics as a supportive act to patients during hospitalization with neurological symptoms remains uncertain.…”

“…Patients with neurological symptoms may be quickly disturbed by external stimuli and therefore benefit from a calm and manageable environment (Applebaum et al, 2016 ; Digby & Bloomer, 2014 ; McGough et al, 2018 ). The consequences of neurological disease can be extensive and therefore require healthcare professionals to be aware of the importance of the sensory impression to best meet the patients’ needs and wishes (Beck et al, 2020 ). Scientifically, we know that hospitalized patients with neurological symptoms are particularly sensitive to sensory disturbances that may result in experiences of loneliness and discomfort or homeliness can occur (Beck et al, , 2018 , 2019 , 2020 ).…”

“…This study was based on an intervention, called Hospitality that aimed at introducing aesthetic tableaus using visible technical means to provide a change of (physical) scenery in the neurology unit. Characteristics of the setting at the neurological unit is illuminated in Beck et al ( 2020 ).…”