"I'm Not Who I Used to Be!" The Compelled Metamorphosing Process of Coping with Brucellosis Among Chinese Patients: A Qualitative Study.

BACKGROUND

Brucellosis, one of the most common zoonotic diseases globally, is a serious public health problem. The complex and diverse clinical manifestations pose numerous challenges for patients when coping with brucellosis. Scarce studies have been performed in China.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to explore the process of coping with brucellosis and different aspects of the phenomenon from the perspective of patients, and propose a conceptual framework of patients' processes in coping with brucellosis.

METHODS

Qualitative study based on constructivist grounded theory methodology using in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. The data analysis included initial coding, focused coding, and theoretical coding using the constant comparative method and memo writing.

RESULTS

The conceptual framework of "compelled metamorphosing" was constructed, which conceptualized three primary types of coping strategies: "blind persistence", "resignation to avoidance", and "proactive pacing". Symptoms, financial strain, information cocoon, emotional value, and family responsibility had an important impact on coping strategies and played a significant role in driving their development.

CONCLUSIONS

This paper provides new insight into patients' lives and describes the strategies patients use to cope with the challenges and problems caused by brucellosis. Compelled metamorphosing represents a basic psychosocial process. These findings can be used to develop future complex interventions and studies.