title: Cardiac patients' perception of patient-centred care: a qualitative study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to explore cardiac patients' perception of patient-centred care.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Despite patient's importance in the process of care, less attention has been paid to experiences and expectations of patients in definitions of patient-centred care. As patients are an important element in process of patient-centred care, organizing care programs according to their perceptions and expectations will lead to enhanced quality of care and greater patient satisfaction.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study is a descriptive qualitative study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Content analysis approach was performed for data analysis. Participants were 18 cardiac patients (10 women and 8 men) hospitalized in coronary care units of teaching hospitals affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences. We collected the study data through conducting personal face-to-face semi-structured interviews.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The participants' perceptions of patient-centred care fell into three main themes including managing patients uncertainty, providing care with more flexibility and establishing a therapeutic communication. The second theme consisted of two sub-themes: empathizing with patients and having the right to make independent decisions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Receiving patient-centred care is essential for cardiac patients. Attention to priorities and preferences of cardiac patients and making decisions accordingly is among effective strategies for achieving patient-centred care.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cardiac care unit nurses ought to be aware that in spite of technological developments and advances, it is still important to pay attention to patients' needs and expectations in order to achieve patient satisfaction. In planning care programs, they should consider accountability towards patients' needs, flexibility in process of care and establishing medical interactions as an effective strategy for improving quality of care.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Nursing Critical Care Department, Tehran University of Medical Sciences Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Esmaeili
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Cheraghi
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Medical-Surgical Department, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mahvash
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Salsali
mesh_terms: D064646:Cardiovascular Nursing; D003142:Communication; D003325:Coronary Care Units; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007492:Iran; D008297:Male; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D018802:Patient-Centered Care; D036301:Qualitative Research
keywords: Cardiac; Content analysis; Patient-centred care; Perception