A phenomenological exploration of the patient learning J experiences of 16—19 year-old women accessing a young people's rheumatology service in the UK

Sustaining the needs of people with chronic illness is a challenge facing health and social care services. Patients' knowledge about their disease can impact on improving the management of their care and may offer opportunity for increasing support (Department of Health, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2005). This small phenomenological enquiry sought to understand how six young women aged between 16 and 19 years experienced learning about their rheumatological illness, and their preferred learning options relating to treatment and management. Data was collected through the use of semi-structured interviews. Interviews were analysed using a modified version of Colaizzi's seven stage process (Hantikainen and Kappeli, 2000). Findings offer insight into perceived health knowledge needs of young women with rheumatological illness in the UK. Data gathered indicated that communication was of concern for the sample, particularly within lay environments such as schools, work and home. Opportunities for service improvement are discussed within the context of existing evidence, including tailoring of materials for young people, and development of services that facilitate effective communication. The involvement of `experienced patients' may be beneficial in facilitating self-care management of young women with rheumatological disease.