Patients’ and families’ perceptions of factors that affect recovery from cadiac disease : a rural community perspective

This study used focus groups as a research method to elicit cardiac patients' and families' perspectives of the factors that affect recovery from cardiac disease in a rural community. The purpose of studying these perceptions was to gain an understanding of the behavioral characteristics, environmental indicators and educational factors that affect their recovery from heart disease. It was proposed that the behavioral and environmental forces and educational factors impacting on the cardiac patients' health and recovery needed to be understood before patients could be encouraged to participate actively in decision making that affects their health. A health promotion model was used as a conceptual framework. Eight males and three females participated in one of two focus groups and three males and one female were interviewed individually as key informants. The ages of the participants ranged from 45 to 79 years. From analysis of the data, themes were identified and significant statements were used to describe the phenomenon under study. The findings of this study suggest that although in-hospital cardiac education programs can provide general information to patients and families, there is a need to give specific information regarding the first few weeks at home and to provide early home support by health care professionals to reinforce this information and to provide emotional support. Knowledge of the available resources in the rural community is essential. A group setting for educational, psychosocial and physical exercise is beneficial. However, families and physicians need to be educated to the benefits of these programs. Alternative resources may be required for people who cannot or will not attend these groups.Applied Science, Faculty ofNursing, School ofGraduat