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Summary
Patients who bypassed formal cardiac rehabilitation programs still achieved lifestyle changes post-illness. These changes align with nursing theories emphasizing patient empowerment and participation in recovery, offering insights for healthcare professionals.
Area of Science:
- Nursing Theory
- Health Behavior Change
- Qualitative Research
Background:
- Cardiac rehabilitation programs are standard after cardiac events.
- Some individuals do not participate in formal cardiac rehabilitation.
- Understanding self-directed lifestyle changes is crucial for patient support.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore how individuals made lifestyle changes after cardiac illness without formal cardiac rehabilitation.
- To identify themes in self-directed recovery processes.
- To connect these themes with established nursing theories.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative study involving interviews with individuals post-cardiac illness.
- Thematic analysis of interview data.
- Application of Barrett's nursing theory of power as knowing participation in change.
Main Results:
- Identified key themes in how individuals initiated and sustained lifestyle modifications.
- Themes were congruent with Barrett's theory, highlighting "knowing participation in change."
- Demonstrated patient agency in recovery outside structured programs.
Conclusions:
- Individuals can successfully implement lifestyle changes independently after cardiac events.
- Barrett's theory provides a relevant framework for understanding these self-directed changes.
- Findings offer practical implications for nursing practice to support patient empowerment and recovery.