In:
Journal of Advanced Nursing, Wiley, Vol. 72, No. 5 ( 2016-05), p. 1097-1108
Abstract:
To explore the structure and content of narratives about the recovery process among patients undergoing heart valve surgery participating in cardiac rehabilitation. Background Several studies with short‐term follow‐up have shown that recovering from cardiac surgery can be challenging, but evidence on the long‐term recovery process is very limited, especially following heart valve surgery. Furthermore, few studies have explored the recovery process among cardiac rehabilitation participants. Design A qualitative study with serial interviews analysed using narrative methods. Methods We collected data over 18 months (April 2013–October 2014). We recruited nine patients undergoing heart valve surgery from a randomized trial, CopenHeart VR and conducted 27 individual narrative interviews at 2‐3 weeks, 3‐4 months and 8‐9 months after surgery. Findings Following heart valve surgery, the participants expected to return to normality. The analysis identified four courses of recovery, with three non‐linear complex pathways deviating from the classic restitution narrative: the frustrated struggle to resume normality, the challenged expectation of normality – being in a limbo and becoming a heart patient. These deviating pathways were characterized by physical, existential and mental challenges even up to 9 months after surgery. Conclusion The recovery processes of participants' in cardiac rehabilitation were often more complicated than anticipated. Patients undergoing heart valve surgery may benefit from more extensive medical follow‐up immediately after discharge, individual psychological assessment and individualized, realistic information about the recovery trajectory.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0309-2402
,
1365-2648
DOI:
10.1111/jan.2016.72.issue-5
Language:
English
Publisher:
Wiley
Publication Date:
2016
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2009963-0
