OBJECTIVE: To understand the meaning of having Crohn's Disease. METHODS: Qualitative study, with a hermeneutic approach. Eight interviews were held, with patients who have a confirmed diagnosis of the disease. The main question of the study was: "what is it like to have Crohn's Disease?". RESULTS: The analysis was performed according to a category identified as: changes in the life perspective. The main changing factors of the category were: having a chronic disease, food, fear, lack of freedom, prevention of complications and hope. For doing so, they use a few strategies to overcome the difficulties, developing their own skills to move forward. CONCLUSION: Trying to understand the human nature, knowing how a person is and their feelings are a construction that needs to be improved in the healthcare courses, so that the professionals can provide the necessary support to the patients and offer adequate nursing care.
Crohn disease; Crohn disease; Chronic illness; Qualitative research