Self-care experiences of Indonesian adults with chronic disease living in Montreal

Abstract Background Self-care (i.e., the actions towards monitoring and managing chronic illness and maintaining health) is an essential aspect of chronic disease management. These experiences are shaped by culture and values, health literacy, support from others and access to care. We conducted a study to explore the chronic illness self-care experiences and various influencing factors among a minority immigrant group, Indonesians, living in Montreal, Canada. Methods We used a qualitative descriptive approach. Eight adult men and women living with various chronic illnesses were recruited. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews and thematically analyzed. Results Three broad themes were identified: What's helpful, Challenges and responses, and Expectations. What's helpful captured different sources of supports of that helped the participants manage and monitor their illness and feel well and healthy. Challenges and responses highlighted the key challenges that participants have faced while living with a chronic illness, and how they have adapted (or not) and responded to these. Expectations include participants' disappointments towards their own self-care and/or support from family, the community and healthcare professionals, and describes what participants wished was different about their situation. The multiple views and nuances of their experiences as well as the various influencing factors of pre- and post-migration were interwoven within the description of each theme. Conclusions The self-care experiences of Indonesians living in Montreal shaped by different sources that helpful, challenges they faced and their responses as well as their disappointments and wishes for their own self-care. Key messages The self-care experiences of Indonesians living in Montreal are vary and shaped by different factors and sources. Healthcare professionals should engage more and consider the helpful sources for them, their challenges and the responses, their disappointments and hopes shaping their self-care experiences.