Impact of a temporary stoma on patients' everyday lives: feelings of uncertainty while waiting for closure of the stoma

Aims and objectives To examine patients′ experiences of impact of a temporary stoma on their everyday life. Furthermore, we wanted to generate new knowledge and comprehension of learning how to live with a temporary stoma. Background There are many aspects, largely unexplored, that may influence patients′ adaptation to life with a stoma. Amongst these, being in a temporary state is relatively unexplored and may have a restrictive impact on patients′ adaptation. Design Focus group interviews conducted with seven patients with temporary stoma were set up with a hermeneutic phenomenological perspective. Methods Data were processed using qualitative content analysis. Results The creation of a temporary stoma led to feelings of uncertainty related to being in an undecided situation. Stoma creation led to feelings of stigma and worries about disclosure. Patients proposed group‐based patient education with lay educators with a stoma to make sure that information about the stoma was based on real‐life experiences. Conclusions Creation of a temporary stoma was linked to uncontrollable feelings of uncertainty. Professionals should assist patients with focus on coping strategies, as they are associated with positive re‐evaluation of the situation. Introducing a coherent and structured learning environment involving both lay educators with a stoma and group‐based learning would be useful. Relevance to clinical practice Nurses and other health professionals should support patients in problem‐focused coping strategies. These strategies may be supported when patients have a high sense of coherence. Furthermore, patients′ disclosure of the stoma as a way to master feelings of stigma should be facilitated. Stoma education is central for patients, and group‐based learning that involves lay educators with a stoma is seen as a way to empower patients with temporary stomas.