Abstract

Session presented on: Monday, July 22, 2013:

Purpose: Although there is a significant body of literature addressing heart failure (HF) epidemiology, physiology, and treatment, little is known about the experiences of Thai patients living with this chronic disease. The primary goal of this study was to gain a better understanding of how Thai patients with HF live with chronic and debilitating illness.

Methods: The phenomenological approach was chosen to investigate the experience of living with HF. Fifteen men and women Thai patients with HF in New York Heart Association classes I-III, aged 47 and 75 years, were interviewed with open-ended questions. Data were analyzed using qualitative inductive content analysis.

Results: The findings of this study provide in-depth information of what it is like for Thai patients to live with HF. Three themes emerged from the data analysis: 'Identifying losses or changes in their lives', 'Accepting the losses', and 'Regaining some control'

Conclusions: To support patients with HF through the process, nurses need to assess ongoing experiences of patients with HF particularly what sense individual's make of information they have been given about their conditions and how individual's sense of self-worth affects their day-to-day lives. Care can be instigated that helps to support individuals uphold their self-worth but also that supports them to live with losses from altered self-worth if needed.

Author Details

Chantira Chiaranai, PhD, RN

Sigma Membership

Non-member

Type

Presentation

Format Type

Text-based Document

Study Design/Type

N/A

Research Approach

N/A

Keywords:

Phenomenological Study, Lived Experience, Heart Failure

Conference Name

24th International Nursing Research Congress

Conference Host

Sigma Theta Tau International

Conference Location

Prague, Czech Republic

Conference Year

2013

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Day-to-day experience of Thais living with heart failure: A phenomenological study

Prague, Czech Republic

Session presented on: Monday, July 22, 2013:

Purpose: Although there is a significant body of literature addressing heart failure (HF) epidemiology, physiology, and treatment, little is known about the experiences of Thai patients living with this chronic disease. The primary goal of this study was to gain a better understanding of how Thai patients with HF live with chronic and debilitating illness.

Methods: The phenomenological approach was chosen to investigate the experience of living with HF. Fifteen men and women Thai patients with HF in New York Heart Association classes I-III, aged 47 and 75 years, were interviewed with open-ended questions. Data were analyzed using qualitative inductive content analysis.

Results: The findings of this study provide in-depth information of what it is like for Thai patients to live with HF. Three themes emerged from the data analysis: 'Identifying losses or changes in their lives', 'Accepting the losses', and 'Regaining some control'

Conclusions: To support patients with HF through the process, nurses need to assess ongoing experiences of patients with HF particularly what sense individual's make of information they have been given about their conditions and how individual's sense of self-worth affects their day-to-day lives. Care can be instigated that helps to support individuals uphold their self-worth but also that supports them to live with losses from altered self-worth if needed.