From hopeless to a miracle: The lived experience of rehabilitation

This study used the Colaizzi phenomenological, descriptive method to uncover what it was like for patients to be in a rehabilitation program. Ten rehabilitation patients were interviewed. They were asked, "What is it like for you to be in rehabilitation?" Significant statements were extracted from which meanings were formulated. Clusters of themes were developed from the meanings. Four themes were identified: dependence versus independence, rehabilitation is a miracle, rehabilitation is a struggle, and trust and trusting that working the plan will pay off. These themes are related to other care concepts in nursing and the other literature and film. Understanding what it is like for patients in a physical rehabilitation program will assist nurses to plan care to meet the patients' needs, will provide personal glimpses of patients' view of care for nursing, and will help nurses to further explore the world of the patients.