[Patients' Narratives as a Tool to Prepare for Medical Rehabilitation: The Website "Medical Rehabilitation (Medizinische Reha)" at www.krankheitserfahrungen.de].

OBJECTIVE

The website "medical rehabilitation (Medizinische Reha)" at www.krankheitserfahrungen.de presents patients' experiences concerning medical rehabilitation and aims at supporting people in preparation for medical rehabilitation.

METHODS

Using purposeful sampling 38 former rehabilitation patients were selected. They took part in a guided narrative interview about their experiences concerning medical rehabilitation. Interview transcripts were coded and systematically aggregated based on Grounded Theory.

RESULTS

Under the heading "individuals (Personen)" individual experiences of each patient are portrayed on the website. Analysis revealed 8 categories of specific issues and subtopics. These topics are illustrated by original excerpts of the interviews as video, audio or text on the website. Topics are the way to and daily routine in rehabilitation, therapies and other offers of the clinic, family, profession, profits of the rehabilitation, the time afterwards, messages and recommendations. Patients mentioned obstacles and challenges as well as supporting experiences and advice.

CONCLUSION

The website provides free and barrier-free information about medical rehabilitation for prospective patients and professionals, exclusively focusing on patients' perspectives.