Patient perceptions of experience with cardiac rehabilitation after isolated heart valve surgery

TY - JOUR

T1 - Patient perceptions of experience with cardiac rehabilitation after isolated heart valve surgery

AU - Hansen, Tina B

AU - Berg, Selina K

AU - Sibilitz, Kirstine L

AU - Zwisler, Ann D

AU - Norekvål, Tone M

AU - Lee, Anne

AU - Buus, Niels

PY - 2018/1/1

Y1 - 2018/1/1

N2 - BACKGROUND: Little evidence exists on whether cardiac rehabilitation is effective for patients after heart valve surgery. Yet, accepted recommendations for patients with ischaemic heart disease continue to support it. To date, no studies have determined what heart valve surgery patients prefer in a cardiac rehabilitation programme, and none have analysed their experiences with it.AIMS: The purpose of this qualitative analysis was to gain insight into patients' experiences in cardiac rehabilitation, the CopenHeartVR trial. This trial specifically assesses patients undergoing isolated heart valve surgery.METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine patients recruited from the intervention arm of the trial. The intervention consisted of a physical training programme and a psycho-educational intervention. Participants were interviewed three times: 2-3 weeks, 3-4 months and 8-9 months after surgery between April 2013 and October 2014. Data were analysed using qualitative thematic analysis.RESULTS: Participants had diverse needs and preferences. Two overall themes emerged: cardiac rehabilitation played an important role in (i) reducing insecurity and (ii) helping participants to take active personal responsibility for their health. Despite these benefits, participants experienced existential and psychological challenges and musculoskeletal problems. Participants also sought additional advice from healthcare professionals both inside and outside the healthcare system.CONCLUSIONS: Even though the cardiac rehabilitation programme reduced insecurity and helped participants take active personal responsibility for their health, they experienced existential, psychological and physical challenges during recovery. The cardiac rehabilitation programme had several limitations, having implications for designing future programmes.

AB - BACKGROUND: Little evidence exists on whether cardiac rehabilitation is effective for patients after heart valve surgery. Yet, accepted recommendations for patients with ischaemic heart disease continue to support it. To date, no studies have determined what heart valve surgery patients prefer in a cardiac rehabilitation programme, and none have analysed their experiences with it.AIMS: The purpose of this qualitative analysis was to gain insight into patients' experiences in cardiac rehabilitation, the CopenHeartVR trial. This trial specifically assesses patients undergoing isolated heart valve surgery.METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine patients recruited from the intervention arm of the trial. The intervention consisted of a physical training programme and a psycho-educational intervention. Participants were interviewed three times: 2-3 weeks, 3-4 months and 8-9 months after surgery between April 2013 and October 2014. Data were analysed using qualitative thematic analysis.RESULTS: Participants had diverse needs and preferences. Two overall themes emerged: cardiac rehabilitation played an important role in (i) reducing insecurity and (ii) helping participants to take active personal responsibility for their health. Despite these benefits, participants experienced existential and psychological challenges and musculoskeletal problems. Participants also sought additional advice from healthcare professionals both inside and outside the healthcare system.CONCLUSIONS: Even though the cardiac rehabilitation programme reduced insecurity and helped participants take active personal responsibility for their health, they experienced existential, psychological and physical challenges during recovery. The cardiac rehabilitation programme had several limitations, having implications for designing future programmes.

KW - Adaptation, Psychological

KW - Adult

KW - Aged

KW - Cardiac Rehabilitation

KW - Cardiac Surgical Procedures/rehabilitation

KW - Exercise Therapy

KW - Female

KW - Heart Valve Diseases/psychology

KW - Humans

KW - Male

KW - Middle Aged

KW - Patient Education as Topic

KW - Patient Satisfaction

U2 - 10.1177/1474515117716245

DO - 10.1177/1474515117716245

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 28617184

SN - 1474-5151

VL - 17

SP - 45

EP - 53

JO - European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing

JF - European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing

IS - 1

ER -