Generation and elaboration of categories, subcategories and concept
| Category | Subcategory | Concept |
|---|---|---|
| Causes of fatigue | Physical factors | Innate weakness |
| Ageing | ||
| Underlying disease | ||
| Overwork | ||
| Negligence of healthcare | ||
| Personal character | Sensitivity | |
| Full of worry | ||
| Introverted character | ||
| Passive character | ||
| Compulsive and principled character | ||
| Symptoms of fatigue | Physical symptoms | Headaches |
| Heavy neck and shoulder | ||
| Sleep disturbances | ||
| Lack of attention | ||
| Memory deficits | ||
| Difficulty getting up in the morning | ||
| Change of eating habits | ||
| Psychological symptoms | Sensitive reactions | |
| Lack of motivation | ||
| Lethargy | ||
| Lower self-esteem | ||
| Anxiety | ||
| Depression | ||
| Changes in everyday life | Lack of understanding of fatigue symptoms by others | |
| Low performance in their workplaces | ||
| Passive in family and social life | ||
| Abstain from interpersonal relations | ||
| Selection of TKM treatment | Reasons | Persistent fatigue symptom in spite of getting different treatment |
| Not obtaining a particular diagnosis from Western medicine | ||
| Recommendation for using TKM from family and colleagues | ||
| Positive effects | Relieve of fatigue- related symptoms | |
| Restored their fitness | ||
| Fewer side effects | ||
| Feel more comfortable psychologically | ||
| Negative effect | Inconvenience of using TKM: medication | |
| Inconsistent therapeutic effect of TKM | ||
| Recognition of TKM | TKM perspective about fatigue | Treating fatigue as a disease |
| Positive approach to the patient | ||
| Individually tailored prescriptions | ||
| Relationship with TKM doctors | Feel more comfortable with TKM doctors | |
| TKM doctor as a good listener | ||
| Limitations of using TKM | Economic burden | |
| Lack of establishment for the cost charge system: medical insurance | ||
| Requiring long-term period for treatment: taking medication | ||
| Non-standardised treatment | ||
| Vague treatment effects | ||
| Difficulty of treatment compliance | ||
| Daily life care along with fatigue | To lead a harmonious life with fatigue | Recognise the limitations of TKM |
| Recognise the need for healthcare on their own | ||
| More positive self-management: exercise, swimming, meditation, listening music, stress reduction | ||
| Positive attitude towards life |
TKM, traditional Korean medicine.