THE LIVED EXPERIENCE OF PATIENT PRUDENCE IN HEALTH-CARE

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the lived e xperience of patient prudence in health care. Prudence has previously been defined as good judgement in setting realistic personal goals and using personal resources to achieve those goals. Audiotaped interview s were conducted with 10 hospitalized adults for whom health care prov iders had previously recommended life style changes for health reasons , Data were analysed using Colaizzi's method. Seventy-seven significan t statements were identified and, from their formulated meanings, seve n themes emerged that were integrated into a description of the fundam ental structure of prudence. From the patient perspective, prudence in health care is a dynamic phenomenon that involves achieving well-bein g and self-perpetuation within the context of the patient's world of c ompeting values and is experienced with emotions that range from harmo ny to fear and depression.