Living a meaningful life and taking good care of oneself in times of illness

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Living a meaningful life and taking good care of oneself in times of illness

Highlighting a dilemma

Journal Article (2019)

Author(s)

G. J. Teunissen (VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam UMC)

P. Lindhout (TU Delft - Technology, Policy and Management)

K. Schipper (VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam UMC)

T. A. Abma (Amsterdam UMC)

Research Group

Safety and Security Science

Self-management Belongingness Chronic illness Meaningful life Authoethnography

DOI related publication

https://doi.org/10.3138/ijfab.12.1.03 Final published version

To reference this document use

https://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:36c79dd4-6384-4fce-8202-0cd482e66dc3

More Info

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Publication Year

2019

Language

English

Research Group

Safety and Security Science

Issue number

1

Volume number

12

Pages (from-to)

44-60

Downloads counter

140

Abstract

An authoethnography explores the lived experiences of patients being in control and self-managing their chronic illness among their families and friends. Findings show that the current health discourse narrows down people to mere patients and gives rise to tensions. This article indicates that people with one or several chronic illnesses or disabilities are first of all full citizens with needs, values, and drives seeking a meaningful life. Fair possibilities ought to exist to satisfy their needs to belong, to care for and to matter to others since these constitute an essential aspect of being human.