title: An act of courage: women's decision-making processes regarding outpatient cardiac rehabilitation attendance.
abstract: The purpose of this qualitative study was to describe the factors that affect women's attendance and adherence to a cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program after a myocardial infarction (MI). We used in-depth interviews and a health survey form to collect data. The purposive sample consisted of 40 women who had experienced a first MI within the previous 6 weeks to 12 months. Of those 40, 18 women were not offered the program, 8 declined it, and 14 attended. Using content analysis and constant comparison, we identified three distinct phases: "initial decision," "CR attendance," and "reevaluation." Four data clusters positively influenced the continuation of CR attendance: "Psychological Appraisal," "Program Components," "Staff Behaviors," and "Outcomes." When women encountered a fifth cluster--"Barriers"--they entered the reevaluation phase. Results of this study support specific interventions for each phase.
authors.affiliation: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, College of Nursing, 4301 W. Markham Street, Slot 784, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA. mcsweeneyjeanc@uams.edu
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: McSweeney
authors.forename: P B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Crane
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D000072038:Cardiac Rehabilitation; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance