GS-05
5/24/2016 4:00:00 PM - 5/24/2016 5:00:00 PM

Lessons Learned From a Lost Colon: Helping Patients See Illness With a New Perspective

This lecture will focus on learning a different way to view incidents in our lives which we perceive as negative, such as illness. Bad things happen to good people. When we discover what we can learn from difficult experiences we can grow and take our life in directions we would not have otherwise traveled.

The speaker shares her 19 year battle with Crohn's disease, how her life was impacted as a young teen and adult. She describes the concessions she made in her life as the disease progressed, ultimately resulting in ostomy surgery at age 36. This lecture will focus on the path the speaker has traveled and the individuals she has met that have enriched her life as a result of having Crohn's disease and an ostomy. Nurses are in the unique position of helping patients see past their disease. This lecture will assist nurses in helping their patients see illness with new perspective, insight, and aid them in discovering they are not defined by their disease.

Objective / Content / Time Frame / Presenter / Teaching Strategies
Nurses will better understand one woman's personal journey with Crohn's disease and resulting ostomy surgery. / Diagnosis
Course of Disease Progression
Diminishing Quality of Life
Reconciled to Ostomy Surgery
Life Post Surgery and Lessons Learned / 15 minutes / Lois Fink / Discussion
Nurses will state understanding of how to assist their patient to see their disease process with new perspective/insight. / Address emotional concerns of living with chronic illness
Dialogue with patient how a change in perspective changes their outlook
Dialogue with patient that goal setting leads to healthy behavioral changes and important self-discoveries / 15 minutes / Lois Fink / Discussion
The nurse will state the process of helping the patient see themselves as whole and not defined by their disease. / Actively listen to patients' fears
Identify patients' skills, abilities, life experiences
Dialogue with patient their abilities are not diminished due to their illness / 15 minutes / Lois Fink / Discussion
The nurse will describe how to facilitate patient growth from viewing illness as an adverse life experience to a positive life changing experience. / Explain the need for grieving loss of health
Dialogue with patient to list their strengths
Explain the benefits of viewing their current experience as a vehicle for personal growth / 15 minutes / Lois Fink / Discussion
Total