Becoming and being a health consumer: findings from a grounded theory study

People with long-term health conditions interact with health care professionals on an ongoing basis. This presentation will report findings from a grounded theory study into the process of interaction between consumers and health care teams. Researchers used a range of methods to collect and generate data. Data analysis resulted in the theory Trajectory of Becoming and Being a Health Consumer with a Long-Term Condition. The trajectory is a four-stage process that commences with an unexpected entrance into the social world of health. This is followed by consumers becoming and being members of that world. During these stages, consumers learn what it means to be a health consumer and how modified behaviors can lead to the fourth stage of the process in which consumers receive tailored care. The stages are iterative and consumers may make unexpected re-entrances through relapses or acquiring additional conditions that affect their health