Michelle Kinder, MSN, RNC, PHN

California State University, Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA

Purpose: Since approval of combination therapy by the FDA in 1998 and 2002, patients are being diagnosed and treated with drug therapy for Hepatitis C (HCV).  A review of the literature revealed various quantitative studies on the effect of treatment of HCV on health related quality of life scores. No study, however, has been conducted from the perspective of the participant reporting, in their words, a description of the lived experience of undergoing treatment for HCV. 

Background: HCV is a major public health problem nationwide HCV is a chronic, insidious, progressive disease that can result in cirrhosis, end stage liver disease and/or hepatocellular carcinoma. With the potential complications of this disease, treatment has become a priority in hope of decreasing HCV related complications.

Methods: This study used a qualitative, phenomenological research design to explore phenomena related to the lived experiences of male participants undergoing treatment for HCV. Open-ended questions were used to guide the participants to reflect on and describe given situations in which the lived experience occurred. These retrospective narrative accounts were transformed from verbal to written form and the narrative transcripts were analyzed for individual and shared themes.

Results: Analysis of narrative data from eight men who had lived the experience of combination therapy for hepatitis C revealed six distinct, but interrelated themes: acquisition of the disease, the diagnosis, the treatment decision-making, the “horror stories” regarding treatment, what helped, and feelings now.

Implications: The research findings from this study reflect many applications to nursing. Advanced practice nurses (APN) who case manage these patients undergoing treatment are able to assist in decreasing patient complications. The case management of these patients are often labor intensive.