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Factors associated with improved life satisfaction following ostomy surgery are of interest to WOC nurses. This study identifies an association between life satisfaction and self-perceived health in ostomates who are up to 48 months post surgery.
METHODOLOGY:
The study uses a subset (n=1379) of the data from the Ostomy Comprehensive Health and Life Assessment survey (N=4097). This ongoing survey contains 93 questions pertaining to health and life domains. A cumulative life satisfaction index was calculated from six questions regarding satisfaction with each of the following: social life, life with spouse/partner, family life, leisure time, financial situation, and one overall contentment question. Scores range between 0 and 24.
RESULTS:
A majority of these participants (81.8%) report having their stoma checked by a healthcare professional within one year post discharge. Also, those who reported their own current health as favorable had 12.3 times greater odds (95% CI 6.6; 23.0) of being classified as having a positive life satisfaction than those who reported their own current health as unfavorable. Analysis was conducted via logistic regression.
DISCUSSION:
Most ostomates have their stoma checked within the first year post discharge indicating that most maintain contact with a healthcare professional within this time period. The data suggest that an ostomate’s self-perception of their own current health status is strongly and positively associated with self-perceptions of health, relationships, and life satisfaction domains. Patients viewed themselves more optimistically and more advantaged than clinicians who perceived their status in terms of chronic disease.
These results reinforce the need for WOCN nurses to address not only the medical but also the psychological reasons for patient visits. Patients who leave the office confident they are in control of their general health are more likely to return to a positive quality of life.