Healing through integration: promoting wellness in cardiac rehabilitation

This case study illustrates the basic life processes, transitions, and meanings of a woman with diagnosed coronary artery disease who participated in an innovative outpatient program of cardiac rehabilitation. Data gathering and analysis were accomplished using the phenomenologic procedures outlined by Spiegelberg and van Manen. A formulated structure, healing through integration, was generated from the interpretation of case study data, as well as the data of 15 other adult patients who participated in a program of outpatient cardiac rehabilitation. This structure provides a framework for nursing assessment and the implementation of relevant mind, body, social, spiritual, and behavioral interventions designed to assist individuals in integrating health-enhancing behaviors and recovery following a cardiac health crisis.