title: Valve disorder: theoretical and practical nursing perspectives.
abstract: Little nursing research has been done towards reaching a better understanding of the experience of living with valve disorder. Most available resources to nurses caring for patients with valve disorder focus on pathophysiology of the disorder. The purpose of this article is to explore from both theoretical and practical perspectives, nursing issues related to caring for patients and their families while they live with a valve disorder. A chronic illness framework provides a basis to explore theoretical perspectives. Practical perspectives are explored using theoretical and pathophysiological aspects of nursing care. It is hoped that when nurses incorporate the aspects of care highlighted in this article into their practice, the patient's and family's experience of living with a valve disorder will be enhanced.
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: King
mesh_terms: D002908:Chronic Disease; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D016294:Models, Nursing; D011788:Quality of Life