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Male patients with congestive heart failure and their conception of the life situation
J Mårtensson1, J E Karlsson, B Fridlund
1Department of Cardiology, County Hospital Ryhov, Jönköping, Sweden.
Insights
Male patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) often feel limited and resigned due to lack of energy. Nurses can help by teaching self-care and highlighting everyday possibilities to improve their outlook.
Area of Science:
- Nursing
- Cardiology
- Qualitative Research
Background:
- Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a growing concern in Sweden due to an aging population and increased survival post-myocardial infarction.
- Understanding patient perspectives is crucial for effective CHF management.
- Male patients' experiences with CHF require specific attention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore and describe the life situation of male patients with CHF from a nursing perspective.
- To understand how these patients conceive their experiences across biophysical, sociocultural, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual-existential dimensions.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative methodology utilizing a phenomenographic approach.
- Semi-structured interviews focusing on five key life dimensions.
- Analysis of patient conceptions of their surroundings and life situation.
Main Results:
- Six emergent categories: belief in the future, gaining awareness, environmental support, feeling limitation, lack of energy, and resignation.
- Lack of energy leads to reduced work capacity and social engagement.
- Patients may feel powerless, risking a cycle of limitation and resignation.
Conclusions:
- Nurses play a vital role in helping CHF patients break the cycle of limitation and resignation.
- Promoting self-care and demonstrating everyday possibilities can empower patients.
- Increased patient awareness of their life situation facilitates adaptation and self-improvement.
Abstract:
Patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) are an extensive group in Sweden both with regard to prevalence and number of medical care events. As the age of the population and survival after myocardial infarction are increasing, the incidence of CHF is also on the rise. The aim of this study is to describe, from a nurse's perspective, how male patients with CHF conceive their life situation. Interview questions were designed with a focus on five dimensions: the biophysical, the sociocultural, the emotional, the intellectual, and the spiritual-existential. A qualitative method was used with a phenomenographic approach as it examines aspects of the surroundings as conceived. In the results, six categories emerged: feeling a belief in the future, gaining awareness, feeling support from the environment, feeling limitation, feeling a lack of energy and feeling resignation. The mental and physical lack of energy which patients feel easily leads to limited working capacity and social activities. This limitation may cause patients with CHF to believe that neither they nor their environment can influence their life situation and there is a risk that these patients become resigned. In order to help them get out of this vicious circle of limitation and resignation, it is important that the nurse teaches them self-care and shows them the possibilities that exist in everyday life. With increased awareness of their life situation, patients may adapt to their CHF and see that it is possible to improve their future themselves.