Authors

Rosa Mª Buitrago Leal1, Mª Luisa Martínez Martín2

Position

1Enfermera. Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda. Madrid2Profesora. Departamento de Enfermería. Facultad de Medicina. Universidad Autónoma de Madrid

Contact address

Rosa Mª Buitrago Leal. C/ Severo Ochoa, 7. 28660 Boadilla del Monte (Madrid).

Contact email: mariabl@gmail.com

Abstract

Objective: to determine the role of nurses in the process of care for persons with irritable bowel syndrome.
Method: a narrative review based on the bibliographic search in different Health Sciences databases: PubMed, CINHAL and Web of Science (WOS). The following controlled vocabulary terms (MeSH) were used: “irritable bowel syndrome”, “nursing”, “patient education as topic”, “selfcare, self-management”, “quality of life”, “adaptation, psychological”, “attitude to health”, “patient acceptance of health care” and “patient compliance”.
Results: there was a selection of 20 articles considered relevant in order to give an answer to the objective of the review; two categories were generated from their analysis: a) barriers that impede coping and self-care in persons with irritable bowel syndrome, and b) Nursing interventions targeted to an improvement in their quality of life. It was pointed out that low empathy was occasionally present in the care received, that there was limited information offered by professionals about the disease, and that interventions must be focused on patient education.
Conclusions: patient education generates very encouraging results in quality of life and symptom relief, as well as in terms of understanding the disease and its management in daily life. The role of the nurse in this education process must be focused on an effective therapeutic relationship in order to cope with the disease. Nursing professionals must be aware of their importance during this process, acquiring an active role in the care for patients with irritable bowel syndrome.

Keywords:

Irritable bowel syndrome; patient education; self-care; quality of life; narrative review; narrative review

Versión en Español

Título:

La enfermera, clave en el cuidado de los pacientes con síndrome de intestino irritable