Exploring the experience of prostate surgery among male patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia: a qualitative content analysis

Background and aim: Besides their effects on patients' bodies, diseases and their treatments can also take a toll psychologically on different aspects of patients' lives. On the other hand, patients' experiences of diseases and treatments are affected by the type and the manifestations of diseases as well as their own socio-cultural background. Understanding patients' experiences of diseases can help healthcare professionals improve the quality of care. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of prostate surgery among patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Methods: This was a qualitative content analysis study. A purposive sample of patients who had recently undergone a transurethral resection of the prostate was recruited from the urologic care unit of Tohid Hospital, Sanandaj, Iran. Study data were collected through conducting fifteen in-depth interviews with patients. The qualitative content analysis approach was adopted for data analysis. Findings: Study participants' experiences of transurethral resection of the prostate fell into four main themes including succumbing to the disease, having no option other than undergoing the surgery, having freedom and comfort, and feeling worried about future. Results: Male patients who undergo transurethral resection of the prostate need educations and information in order to understand and accept the disease, its treatments, and its effects on different aspects of their lives. Study findings highlighted the necessity for developing and implementing post-operative care plans for this patient population.