The Adjustment Process of Patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

근위축성측삭경화증 환자의 적응과정

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe the adjustment process of patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis(ALS). Method: The data were collected from May 2007 to February 2008 through individual in-depth interviews with 4 ALS patients. The data collection and analysis were performed according to grounded theory methodology, as suggested by Strauss and Corbin. Results: 'Accepting the sick role' was the central phenomenon, which was derived from 'perceiving an intial symptom'. Therefore, the adjustment pattern was represented by using the different strategies, which were 'raising hope' and 'hoping to dye comfortably'. For taking a view of the future, ALS patients adopted the strategies of 'living positively', 'being treated hardly', 'joining in the experience', 'depending on the absolute being', 'recognizing the dying process'. Conclusion: This study provides guidance for the development of nursing interventions for patients with ALS.