title: The well-being of relatives of patients with atrial fibrillation: a critical incident technique analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The well-being of relatives of patients having chronic heart diseases (CHD) has been found to be negatively affected by the patient's condition. Studies examining relatives of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) indicate that their well-being may be affected in a similar manner, but further research is needed.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To explore and describe critical incidents in which relatives of patients experience how AF affects their well-being and what actions they take to handle these situations.
  
  
  METHODS
  An explorative, descriptive design based on the critical incident technique (CIT) was used. Interviews were conducted with 19 relatives (14 women and five men) of patients hospitalised in southern Sweden due to acute symptoms of the AF.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The well-being of relatives was found to be affected by their worries (patient-related health), as well as the sacri-ficing of their own needs (self-related health). In handling their own well-being, these relatives adjusted to and supported the patient (practical involvement), along with adjusting their own feelings and responding to the mood of the patients (emotional involvement).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The well-being of relatives of patients with AF was affected depending on the patients' well-being. In their attempt to handle their own well-being, the relatives adjusted to and supported the patients. Further research is needed in order to evaluate the effects of support to relatives and patients respectively and together.
authors.affiliation: School of Health Sciences, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden.
authors.forename: Helena
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ekblad
authors.affiliation: School of Health Sciences, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden ; 2Department of Internal Medicine, County Hospital Ryhov, Jönköping, Sweden.
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Malm
authors.affiliation: School of Health Sciences, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden.
authors.forename: Bengt
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fridlund
authors.affiliation: School of Health Sciences, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Conlon
authors.affiliation: School of Health Sciences, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden.
authors.forename: Helén
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rönning
keywords: Atrial fibrillation; coronary heart disease; health; nursing; qualitative analysis; relatives.