The patient experience of having a stoma and its relation to nursing practice: implementation of qualitative evidence through clinical pathways

The aim of this article is to explore patients' experiences of having a stoma, in particular those relating to: emotion and social issues; changes in quality of life; feelings of fear, shame or frustration because of the altered lifestyle; and changes in roles and relationships and in their social environment. This article is part of a research project that employs a three-step method, including a metasynthesis method for international qualitative research, the development of clinical pathways for nursing diagnoses, interventions and outcomes, and the implementation and evaluation of these clinical pathways. This article describes the first phase of the research. The results show that, internationally, there are many similarities in the ways in which individuals with a stoma cope with having a stoma.