Understanding the Patient Experience of Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter-Related Deep Vein Thrombosis Using Interpretive Phenomenology

Abstract

The purpose of this interpretive phenomenological study was to determine what it means to patients to live with a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC)-related deep vein thrombosis and to describe the influence of the experience on the individual's quality of life. The sample included 11 adult patients from an acute care setting who developed a PICC-related symptomatic thrombus between November 2014 and March 2016, using purposive sampling. Three distinct themes emerged from the data in this study: a loss of trust in health care providers, additional burdens to existing problems, and a yearning for understanding.

Comparisons of Adaptations in Grounded Theory and Phenomenology: Selecting the Specific Qualitative Research Methodology

“…The examples in each theme were thoughtful interpretations rather than shallow rephrased texts of the lived experience of having PICC-related DVT. Meyer’s (2017) presentation of meaningful patients’ perspectives were consistent with van Manen’s approach.…”

“…The findings revealed the following three themes: “a loss of trust in health care providers, additional burdens to existing problems, and a yearning for understanding” (Meyer, 2017, p. 287). Meyer (2017) provided a table of exemplars of the three themes as part of the results. The examples in each theme were thoughtful interpretations rather than shallow rephrased texts of the lived experience of having PICC-related DVT.…”

Patient-reported complications related to peripherally inserted central catheters: a multicentre prospective cohort study

“…Available data suggest that while patients are apprehensive at first, they tend to adapt to living with a PICC,16 23 and for many, the experience is viewed as positive 14 16 23. On the other hand, the experience is substantially less positive for those who experience a PICC-related complication 15 24. Our findings add to what is known by providing data on how many patients experience some degree of negative impact during PICC use, with more than a quarter of patients endorsing restrictions in activities of daily living and 14% social activity restrictions.…”

“…Despite this, little attention has been paid to complications as experienced by patients following PICC placement and especially after hospital discharge 12 13. Several qualitative studies have explored specific patient experiences, such as quality of life among patients with cancer14 or after a symptomatic deep vein thrombosis (DVT),15 and the impact of arm choice on daily activities 16. On the other hand, issues such as frequency of minor complications (such as insertion site redness), how PICCs impact daily activities and other concerns that might arise posthospitalisation have not been fully examined.…”

Patient experience of pregnancy-related venous thrombosis: A phenomenological study

“…Women with pregnancy-related VTE (PRVTE) face a unique set of challenges compared to the nonpregnant population; PRVTE is more difficult to diagnose due to common manifestations of pregnancy mimicking VTE [1], necessity of treatment via injections rather than tablets [13], management of anticoagulation around delivery to minimise the risk of thrombosis and haemorrhage [14] and low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) being a requirement throughout future pregnancies [15]. The impact PRVTE has on women is unknown but pregravid morbidity is shown to negatively affect the wellbeing of the infant with potential to negatively affect bonding and increase risk of maternal anxiety and depression [16,17].…”