Pain: the voiceless scream in every haemophilia patient’s life

Pain is a major problem in haemophilia patients’ lives. The perspective of pain in such patients is unique and may be different from other chronic illnesses. This qualitative hermeneutic phenomenological study aims to describe and interpret pain experience of haemophilia patients. Participants were selected from a haemophilia clinic affiliated with Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. Taking the main theme, “pain: the voiceless scream in every moment of haemophilia life”, with two subthemes, “a life full of pain” and “describing complex pain quality”, data was collected using semi-structured in-depth interviews and field notes, and thematic analysis conducted using van Manen’s methodological framework for reflective hermeneutic interpretation. The findings indicated that pain always accompanied the lives of haemophilia patients. Participants experienced acute intense pains, accompanied by bleeding, which were described as “terrible”, “severe”, “intolerable” and “unbelievable”. As joints became damaged over time, participants experienced persistent pain that was “continuous” and “constant”. Participants also coped with ever-present pain in immobile joints, described as “intense”, “annoying” and “intolerable”. This qualitative study shows that pain is present throughout haemophilia patients’ lives and that they experience different kinds of pain, demonstrated through various descriptions. By understanding the experience of pain from the perspective of haemophilia patients, nurses and healthcare workers can provide high-quality care focused on their unique needs.