title: Perceived needs for attaining a 'new normality' after surviving myocardial infarction: A qualitative study of patients' experience.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A comprehensive understanding of the various aspects of patients' myocardial infarction (MI) experiences may help to guide these patients and their relatives through the many uncertainties they face and help them to stabilize their lives after the disruption they experienced.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To explore MI patients' experiences of life with MI, the challenges they face during the process of accepting their condition, and the setting and resetting of their personal goals.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty semi-structured, individual interviews were conducted. The grounded theory method was used, and Atlas.ti qualitative data analysis software was used to facilitate the analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three main themes and explanatory models emerged from the data analysis: a good adaptation - the 'new normality;' maladjustment - a continuous search for a 'new normality;' and perceived needs in the search for a new normality. Patients perceived several areas of need that they felt must be met before they could reach the state of a new normality. These needs included overcoming the anxiety of a possible MI recurrence; acquiring knowledge about MI in general and about 'my MI' in particular; the need for a timeline; for patience and steadiness; for both objective and subjective health status improvement; for taking control over the disease; and living within a supportive context.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  When faced with a dramatic life event, most patients succeed in achieving a new normality in which they live changed but still satisfying lives. The needs experienced by patients when searching for a new normality may guide practitioners in leading patient-centred consultations. [Box: see text].
authors.affiliation: a Department of Family Medicine , 'Andrija Štampar' School of Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb , Zagreb , Croatia.|b 'Zagreb Centar' Health Centre , Zagreb , Croatia.
authors.forename: Goranka
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Petriček
authors.affiliation: a Department of Family Medicine , 'Andrija Štampar' School of Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb , Zagreb , Croatia.|c Family Medicine Office Josip Buljan , Velika Kopanica , Croatia.
authors.forename: Josip
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Buljan
authors.affiliation: a Department of Family Medicine , 'Andrija Štampar' School of Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb , Zagreb , Croatia.|d Family Medicine Office Gordana Prljević , Krapinske Toplice , Croatia.
authors.forename: Gordana
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Prljević
authors.affiliation: a Department of Family Medicine , 'Andrija Štampar' School of Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb , Zagreb , Croatia.|b 'Zagreb Centar' Health Centre , Zagreb , Croatia.
authors.forename: Mladenka
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vrcić-Keglević
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D005260:Female; D066296:Grounded Theory; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000523:psychology*; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*; D035501:Uncertainty
keywords: Qualitative study; myocardial infarction; patient-centred care; patient’s experience