Exploring Lived Experiences and Meaning-Making in Pharmaceutical Care Among Patients in Indonesia’s Public Healthcare System

Abstract

Pharmaceutical science plays a critical role in improving patient outcomes by developing effective therapeutic strategies, yet little is understood about how individuals experience and interpret these treatments within their personal and social contexts. Despite growing attention to patient-centered care, previous research has primarily focused on clinical outcomes, leaving limited understanding of the subjective meanings patients attach to their treatment journeys. This study addresses this gap by asking: How do individuals make sense of their pharmaceutical care experiences, and what meaning do these experiences hold for their well-being? Using a phenomenological approach, the study explores the essence of patients’ lived experiences and provides an in-depth understanding of their perceptions and coping mechanisms. Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 12 participants and analyzed thematically using Colaizzi’s phenomenological framework. To ensure methodological rigor, the seven-step Colaizzi process was strictly followed, including returning significant statements to participants for validation (member checking) and incorporating expert peer debriefing, thereby enhancing credibility and trustworthiness of the findings. Four key themes emerged: emotional uncertainty during treatment, dependency on healthcare professionals, adaptive coping strategies, and evolving perceptions of quality of life. These findings reveal that patients’ experiences are shaped not only by biomedical factors but also by social, emotional, and existential dimensions influencing decision-making and treatment adherence. The phenomenological approach enabled the identification of meaning structures underlying participants’ narratives, offering insights beyond conventional clinical measures. These results contribute to advancing patient-centered pharmaceutical care by highlighting the importance of integrating personal narratives into therapeutic decision-making. The study also provides a foundation for future research aimed at developing holistic care models that combine clinical efficacy with a deeper understanding of patients’ lived experiences.