Self-management in the post-hair transplantation recovery period among patients with androgenetic alopecia: A qualitative study

Background

The success of hair transplantation surgeries for androgenetic alopecia is evaluated by postoperative long-term outcomes. Patients' self-management during the long recovery period affects this outcome.

Objective

This study aimed to explore patients' self-management status, facilitators, and impediments in the postoperative period and to provide a reference for developing a postoperative self-management intervention program.

Methods

Patients who underwent hair transplantation for androgenetic alopecia were selected using purposive sampling. They were interviewed using one-to-one semi-structured interviews at a general tertiary hospital in Hangzhou from March to April 2022. Qualitative research analysis software Nvivo 12.0 was used to analyze the collected data.

Results

The self-management of postoperative patients with androgenetic alopecia during the recovery period encompasses six areas: more problems with postoperative medication (e.g., not being able to take medication on time) and wound care (e.g., not daring to shampoo, etc.), not being able to review their postoperative condition on time (due to busy schedules at work and at home), more hindrances to the establishment of good living habits (affected by overtime work, socialising, and bad habits of the people around them), and seeking positive ways of relieving bad emotions (stress, anxiety, depression, etc.), worrying about one's image during recovery and taking the initiative to obtain and use resources to promote recovery (through the Internet, books, etc.)

Conclusions

Various factors impact the postoperative self-management abilities of patients, including medication, shampooing, and emotions. It is essential to design support programs to enhance these abilities and improve long-term hair transplantation outcomes.