Patients' experiences of support while waiting for cardiac surgery. A critical incident technique analysis.
BACKGROUND
Patients waiting for cardiac surgery experience the period from decision about surgery to the operation as long, heavy and dreary.


OBJECTIVE
The aim was to describe patients' experiences of support in the form of important events during the waiting period.


METHODS
The design was qualitative and the 'critical incident' technique was used. Incidents were collected via interviews with 26 patients waiting for heart surgery. The selection of patients was strategic.


RESULTS
In all, 223 important events, both positive and negative, were identified in the interviews and two main areas emerged in the analysis: internal factors and external factors. Internal factors describe how an experience of support was influenced by changes in life style and by finding strength from within. External factors describe how experiences of support was influenced by being allowed to participate in care management, by receiving attention, as well as by the health care organisation and the social network.


CONCLUSIONS
By identifying factors that influence patients' experiences of support while they wait for heart surgery, institutional and non-institutional health-care services can improve the organisation of the entire health care process, and develop patient-focused support programmes.
Ivarsson
Bodil
B
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University Hospital of Lund, Barngatan 2, SE-221 85 Lund, Sweden. bodil.ivarsson@thorax.lu.se
Larsson
Sylvia
S
Sjöberg
Trygve
T
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D003142:Communication; D003419:Crisis Intervention; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000592:standards; D018802:Patient-Centered Care / Q000592:standards; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden; D013997:Time Factors; D014850:Waiting Lists