A phenomenological study of day-to-day experiences of living with heart failure: do cultural differences matter?
OBJECTIVE
Although there is a significant body of literature addressing heart failure (HF) epidemiology, physiology, and treatment, little is known about the experiences of Thai patients living with this chronic condition. The primary goal of this study was to gain a better understanding of how Thai patients with HF live with chronic and debilitating illness.


METHODS
A phenomenological approach was chosen to investigate the experience of living with HF. Fifteen Thai men and women with HF in New York Heart Association classes I to III, aged between 47 and 75 years, were interviewed with open-ended questions. Data were analyzed using qualitative inductive content analysis.


RESULTS
Three themes emerged from the data analysis: identifying losses or changes in their lives, accepting the losses, and regaining some control. Unlike their western counterparts, the Thai patients with HF incorporated their karma, a Buddhist belief system, as a tool to rationalize the occurrence of their HF experience. The participants of this study used kreng jai as a cultural desire not to disrupt the happiness of others, even at the expense of efficiency, or to burden others, which might affect their own quality of life.


CONCLUSIONS
The Thai patients with HF faced many limitations. The Thai patients with HF use religion and traditional culture to overcome their life situations. To support Thai patients with HF, healthcare providers must have an understanding of cultural differences.
Chantira Chiaranai, PhD, RN Assistant Professor and Associate Dean, Institute of Nursing, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhonratchasima, Thailand.
Chantira
C
Chiaranai
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009518:New York; D011788:Quality of Life; D012068:Religion and Medicine; D012944:Social Support; D013785:Thailand / Q000208:ethnology