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Abstract
The purpose of this study was to explore the phenomenon of fatigue and thus generate the essential structure of fatigue. Using a phenomenological research method, 11 soldiers were asked to describe their experience of fatigue. Four predominant themes were revealed from the data: the experience of physical fatigue, mental fatigue, mental and physical integration, and disruption of essential life patterns due to the experience of fatigue. Findings are valuable as a description of fatigue for healthy individuals, and useful in developing strategies for coping with and decreasing the effects of overwhelming fatigue experiences. With health viewed as a value and a process, nursing practice and research must include each person's own perspective of quality of life. Further qualitative studies are needed to develop descriptions of fatigue and interventions to recognize and alleviate it.
