Becoming a coronary artery bypass graft surgery patient: a grounded theory study of women’s experiences

Davina Banner

Journal of Clinical Nursing, 2010, vol. 19, issue 21‐22, 3123-3133

Abstract: Aim. To explore women’s experiences of becoming a coronary artery bypass graft surgery patient. Background. Coronary heart disease is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality for both sexes worldwide and is associated with significant human, fiscal and personal burden. There are growing numbers of women undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery; however, little is known about their experiences of being diagnosed, referred and waiting for surgery. Design. Grounded theory. Methods. A grounded theory study of 30 UK women with coronary heart disease waiting to undergo coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Data were collected using semi‐structured interviews and were contextualised through informal observation of the main clinical areas. Results. Coronary heart disease and associated symptoms had extensive physical, social and emotional ramifications for the women. A substantive theory of the public‐private dialogue around maintaining and renegotiating normality emerged and demonstrated that women faced significant disruption to their lives as they attempted to normalise and make sense of their illness experiences. Six categories emerged from the data: help seeking, diagnosis and referral, conceptualising surgery, living with coronary heart disease and waiting for surgery. Conclusion. This study has uncovered women’s experiences of becoming a coronary artery bypass graft patient. It has highlighted the extensive ramifications of heart disease and the need for more gender‐sensitive information and support. Relevance to clinical practice. The findings of this study provide health care professionals with a greater understanding of the experiences and needs of women through their journey to becoming a coronary artery bypass graft surgery. The study demonstrates that women need meaningful information particularly in relation to domestic and physical functioning. Nurses are in an important position to contribute to the care and support of women undergoing this process by providing appropriate and gender‐sensitive information that can improve health outcomes and quality of life.

Date: 2010
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https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2702.2010.03424.x

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:wly:jocnur:v:19:y:2010:i:21-22:p:3123-3133

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