Psychosocial experiences in the context of life-threatening illness: The cardiac rehabilitation patient

Abstract

Objective: One of the most prevalent life-threatening illnesses is heart disease. The initial trauma of being diagnosed with a life-threatening illness or having a cardiac event can begin a psychosocial chain reaction that results in a transformation of the lives of these patients. The goal of our study was to investigate the lived experiences of psychosocial healing in rehabilitation of cardiac patients using a qualitative written interview.Method: A purposive sample of 14 cardiac event survivors was recruited. Participants were interviewed after informed consent and screening. We used a qualitative analysis and modelrevision approach similar to the procedure outlined by Charmaz (2006).Results: Participants consistently mentioned that a heightened awareness of mortality was a motivating factor that led to participants focusing more on their family and relationships, having an enhanced outlook on life, and making healthy lifestyle changes.Significance of results: If clinicians are able to employ a measure to better understand the nature of a patient's progression from cardiac event to successful recovery, interventions such as cardiac rehabilitation can be implemented earlier and more effectively during the course of the illness and recovery phases of treatment. Theoretically, this early detection of a patient's progression could reduce the time spent recovering from a cardiac event, and it would allow treatments for these conditions to better alleviate the psychosocial concerns faced by patients.

Important aspects in relation to patients’ attendance at exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation – facilitators, barriers and physiotherapist’s role: a qualitative study

“…Existential thoughts were described as strong motivators related to patients’ beliefs that exercise could reduce the risk of another cardiac event and to patients’ strong desire to continue to live. A previous study has shown that a heightened awareness of mortality was a motivating factor that led patients with heart disease to make healthy lifestyle changes [24]. On the other hand, the current study also showed that existential thoughts could be regarded as barriers to attending exercise-based CR among patients who wanted to live in the present.…”

Gender Differences in Psycho-Social-Spiritual Healing

“…For example, patients described an increase in, and strengthening of, inner resources, as well as a greater ability to function despite their illness. 7,8 Notably, the results of LTCs expanded beyond the circumstances of the illness and positively impacted other difficult life situations such as divorce or career change. 7,8 These LTCs are hypothesized to comprise the process of psycho-social-spiritual healing 9 and are similar to other concepts described in the literature, such as posttraumatic growth and benefit finding.…”

“…7,8 Notably, the results of LTCs expanded beyond the circumstances of the illness and positively impacted other difficult life situations such as divorce or career change. 7,8 These LTCs are hypothesized to comprise the process of psycho-social-spiritual healing 9 and are similar to other concepts described in the literature, such as posttraumatic growth and benefit finding. [10][11][12] Gender is an important factor in psychosocial and spiritual distress and well-being in patient populations.…”

A single-center survey of health-related quality of life among acute myeloid leukemia survivors in first complete remission.

“…Qualitative studies in other populations reported a phenomenon wherein participants reported subjective changes in response to life-threatening illnesses, leading to personal growth. 26,27 One hypothesis is that the ability to experience illness in a transformative manner is protective against clinically significant distress. Finally, it is vital to note that even long-term survivors can continue to report ongoing symptoms and the importance of ongoing symptom and needs assessments.…”