Perceived needs for attaining a ‘new normality’ after surviving myocardial infarction: A qualitative study of patients’ experience
Background: A comprehensive understanding of the various aspects of patients’ myocardial infarction (MI) experiences may help to guide these patients and their relatives through the many uncertainties they face and help them to stabilize their lives after the disruption they experienced. Objectives:...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2017-10-01
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| Series: | European Journal of General Practice |
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| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13814788.2016.1274726 |
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| author | Goranka Petriček Josip Buljan Gordana Prljević Mladenka Vrcić-Keglević |
| author_facet | Goranka Petriček Josip Buljan Gordana Prljević Mladenka Vrcić-Keglević |
| author_sort | Goranka Petriček |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: A comprehensive understanding of the various aspects of patients’ myocardial infarction (MI) experiences may help to guide these patients and their relatives through the many uncertainties they face and help them to stabilize their lives after the disruption they experienced. Objectives: To explore MI patients’ experiences of life with MI, the challenges they face during the process of accepting their condition, and the setting and resetting of their personal goals. Methods: Thirty semi-structured, individual interviews were conducted. The grounded theory method was used, and Atlas.ti qualitative data analysis software was used to facilitate the analysis. Results: Three main themes and explanatory models emerged from the data analysis: a good adaptation – the ‘new normality;’ maladjustment – a continuous search for a ‘new normality;’ and perceived needs in the search for a new normality. Patients perceived several areas of need that they felt must be met before they could reach the state of a new normality. These needs included overcoming the anxiety of a possible MI recurrence; acquiring knowledge about MI in general and about ‘my MI’ in particular; the need for a timeline; for patience and steadiness; for both objective and subjective health status improvement; for taking control over the disease; and living within a supportive context. Conclusion: When faced with a dramatic life event, most patients succeed in achieving a new normality in which they live changed but still satisfying lives. The needs experienced by patients when searching for a new normality may guide practitioners in leading patient-centred consultations. KEY MESSAGES Most MI patients achieve a new normality. My physical identity is new: my body is different but still functional. My personal identity is new: I am not the same as before, the disease is part of me, but I retain parts of my previous self. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-21T08:00:32Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a0ba0ef01c954cee9f60669b67e8563d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1381-4788 1751-1402 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-21T08:00:32Z |
| publishDate | 2017-10-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | European Journal of General Practice |
| spelling | doaj.art-a0ba0ef01c954cee9f60669b67e8563d2022-12-21T19:10:54ZengTaylor & Francis GroupEuropean Journal of General Practice1381-47881751-14022017-10-01231354210.1080/13814788.2016.12747261274726Perceived needs for attaining a ‘new normality’ after surviving myocardial infarction: A qualitative study of patients’ experienceGoranka Petriček0Josip Buljan1Gordana Prljević2Mladenka Vrcić-Keglević3‘Andrija Štampar’ School of Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb‘Andrija Štampar’ School of Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb‘Andrija Štampar’ School of Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb‘Andrija Štampar’ School of Public Health, School of Medicine, University of ZagrebBackground: A comprehensive understanding of the various aspects of patients’ myocardial infarction (MI) experiences may help to guide these patients and their relatives through the many uncertainties they face and help them to stabilize their lives after the disruption they experienced. Objectives: To explore MI patients’ experiences of life with MI, the challenges they face during the process of accepting their condition, and the setting and resetting of their personal goals. Methods: Thirty semi-structured, individual interviews were conducted. The grounded theory method was used, and Atlas.ti qualitative data analysis software was used to facilitate the analysis. Results: Three main themes and explanatory models emerged from the data analysis: a good adaptation – the ‘new normality;’ maladjustment – a continuous search for a ‘new normality;’ and perceived needs in the search for a new normality. Patients perceived several areas of need that they felt must be met before they could reach the state of a new normality. These needs included overcoming the anxiety of a possible MI recurrence; acquiring knowledge about MI in general and about ‘my MI’ in particular; the need for a timeline; for patience and steadiness; for both objective and subjective health status improvement; for taking control over the disease; and living within a supportive context. Conclusion: When faced with a dramatic life event, most patients succeed in achieving a new normality in which they live changed but still satisfying lives. The needs experienced by patients when searching for a new normality may guide practitioners in leading patient-centred consultations. KEY MESSAGES Most MI patients achieve a new normality. My physical identity is new: my body is different but still functional. My personal identity is new: I am not the same as before, the disease is part of me, but I retain parts of my previous self.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13814788.2016.1274726Qualitative studymyocardial infarctionpatient’s experiencepatient-centred care |
| spellingShingle | Goranka Petriček Josip Buljan Gordana Prljević Mladenka Vrcić-Keglević Perceived needs for attaining a ‘new normality’ after surviving myocardial infarction: A qualitative study of patients’ experience European Journal of General Practice Qualitative study myocardial infarction patient’s experience patient-centred care |
| title | Perceived needs for attaining a ‘new normality’ after surviving myocardial infarction: A qualitative study of patients’ experience |
| title_full | Perceived needs for attaining a ‘new normality’ after surviving myocardial infarction: A qualitative study of patients’ experience |
| title_fullStr | Perceived needs for attaining a ‘new normality’ after surviving myocardial infarction: A qualitative study of patients’ experience |
| title_full_unstemmed | Perceived needs for attaining a ‘new normality’ after surviving myocardial infarction: A qualitative study of patients’ experience |
| title_short | Perceived needs for attaining a ‘new normality’ after surviving myocardial infarction: A qualitative study of patients’ experience |
| title_sort | perceived needs for attaining a new normality after surviving myocardial infarction a qualitative study of patients experience |
| topic | Qualitative study myocardial infarction patient’s experience patient-centred care |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13814788.2016.1274726 |
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