Chronic Condition: Interview Analysis and PHE2LCI Application

This presentation analyzes an interview with a 45-year-old participant living with transverse myelitis, a condition causing spinal cord inflammation and various physical symptoms. The presentation covers the background and history of the condition, key findings from the interview regarding diagnostic experiences, perceptions of the condition, experiences with social support, and family and employment. It applies key learning materials from PHE2LCI, including concepts like locus of control and the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), to understand the participant's psychosocial experiences. The analysis explores the participant's challenges, coping strategies, and the impact of the condition on their life, offering insights into managing chronic illnesses and the importance of social support. The presenter also reflects on their experience as the interviewer, discussing the skills developed during the process.

LIVING WITH
CHRONIC CONDITION
STUDENTS NAME
INSTITUTIONAL AFFILIATION

Background and history of Transverse Myelitis
• Henry Bastian was among the first persons to provide signs and
symptoms that describe the conditions of transverse myelitis.
• Patients who died of this condition served a good place in providing
the pathological findings, (Bates, 2014).
• These findings came in many forms and so he further had to divide
them into different parts.
• Those that he thought were caused by blood vessels that experienced
thrombotic events while supplying to the spinal cord he analyzed
differently whereas those that he thought were caused by acute
inflammation he gave a different analysis.

• It was Dr. William Spiller who gave a detailed analysis of
acute myelitis saying that it was a condition that was caused
by blood clots.
• Working with his patient by the name John W, he had tasked
him to lift some ice blocks but as he did his fourth one, he
began to experience some sensation which included pain and
coldness between his shoulders.
• Dr. William Spiller says that there was some blood cot located
on his spinal artery after he conducted an autopsy on the
body, (Boden, 2001).

• Participant’s condition (Transverse Myelitis)
• My interview with Mary covers her journey living with transverse
myelitis.
• Mary is at the age of 45 years and has lived with this condition for
several years.
• It is a condition that causes inflammation on one section of the
spinal cord especially on both sides.
• It often destroys the insulating material that covers the nerve cells.
• She complains of several experiences of muscle weaknesses, too
much pain, occasional sensory problems, paralysis and often a
bladder dysfunction, (Organization., 2006).

• During the interview, Mary shared some of the signs
and symptoms related to her condition.
• She said that these symptoms developed over a few
days and progressively manifested in the whole body
through the days that followed.
• She said that symptoms of transverse myelitis could
only be visible on one side of the body although at
normal conditions it should reflect on both sides of the
spinal cord.

• Mary shared her embarrassing moments when she to constantly visit
the loos because she had bladder problems.
• She started with a disclaimer that the ultimate condition for it is not
known but even with that she said that the disorder could be caused
by a number of reasons which include viral and related infections.
• Mary claims that she had just recently recovered from infection and
so she thought that it was a continuation of the same condition.
• She mentioned herpes viruses directly infects the spinal cord. She
also adds that some parasites may be the cause of spinal cord
infection but on rare occasions. Painful inflammation can be caused
by bacteria on the spinal cord, (Pinnock, 2007).

• Diagnostic Experience
• From the interview, the diagnosis of transverse myelitis
overly is based on the radiological and clinical findings.
• Details from the interview revealed that magnetic resonance
imaging of the entire spinal cord is needful.
• It is said that it is the most reliable and most effective way of
diagnosing the spinal cord.
• During this imaging, there is a possible visualization of the
swelling that has occurred on the spinal cord, the lesions on
the cord and the unusual signals that are formed around the
cord.

• Perceptions of the
Condition
• The participant also
mentioned that there is
wide disparity as to
how transverse myelitis
is perceived. She said
that people from the
West have a different
view compared to the
people in developing
countries.

• Experiences and Perceptions of Social Support
• The people who are facing such disorders normally face
great challenges even when they have physical, emotional
and social support.
• She claimed that social support has a great relationship with
having a positive adaptation, especially for chronic diseases.
• It was clear that there some emotional strategies for coping
with search experiences which will include efforts in
distancing, meditating and also exercising among others.

• Family and Employment Experiences
• The participant shared that most of the people
suffering from the disorder also inhabit self-pity.
• She turned to self-employment which gave a bit of
space even as she worked.
• She used her condition for her advantage by choosing
to serve her fellow patients

• Description of key learning materials from PHE2LCI to
the participant’s psychological experiences.
• Using the PHE2LCI in relation to the participant's
psychological experiences, a number of chronic conditions
were emphasized. With the aim of improving the
psychological experiences of the participants, using the
Darebin Community Health to assess the chronic illness was
a good place to start from.
• Some of the outcomes were as follows, the developing of
care planning policies that would be efficient in putting in
place a care planning policy.

• Description of key learning materials from PHE2LCI to
the participant’s psychological experiences.
• Using the PHE2LCI in relation to the participant's
psychological experiences, a number of chronic conditions
were emphasized. With the aim of improving the
psychological experiences of the participants, using the
Darebin Community Health to assess the chronic illness was
a good place to start from.