| Learning Objective #1: 1. Describe the major processes that explicate the experiences of women living with angina or heart attack. | |||
| Learning Objective #2: 2. Identify two major changes required in the current health care system to promote better health outcomes for women with heart disease. |
Objective: It is known that women as well as men are candidates for myocardial infarction (MI) and that women’s symptoms of angina or MI may be different than those of men. However, a deep understanding of how women experience angina or MI remains unknown. This knowledge is essential for development of effective educational materials and programs. The purpose of this study was to explicate the experience of living with heart disease in women who have been diagnosed with either angina or MI. Design: Focus group methodology, a qualitative research method, was utilized. Population, Sample, Setting, Years: Women between the ages of 35 and 75 are being recruited to participate in one of four focus groups. Methods: The first focus group was held with 7 women, four of whom already had an MI. All focus groups will be moderated by an experienced focus group researcher, audiotaped, and transcribed verbatim. Members of the research team will analyze the data for themes separately, and then come together and agree on the analysis and questions for the next focus group. Results: The results of the first focus group session indicate that there are three major processes, each containing several sub-processes, in the experience of heart disease: delaying, denying, and restricting. Contrary to the traditional belief that delaying entry to the health care system is a passive process, participants described delaying as a very active, meaningful process. Conclusions: Preliminary conclusions are that women very actively construct their knowledge and experience with heart disease and frequently do so without the help of nurses, physicians and other health care professionals, although this input is desired. Implications: The experiences of these seven women reflect the need for changes in the health care relationship, content and design of health care messages, and delivery of cardiac prevention and aftercare programs.
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Back to 14th International Nursing Research Congress
Sigma Theta Tau International
10-12 July 2003