Return to search

Living with end-stage heart failure: an interpretive phenomenological study

A qualitative phenomenological study incorporating Photovoice was conducted to gain insight into the lived experience of patients with end-stage heart failure (ESHF). Seven participants were recruited and in-depth open-ended interviews were conducted with all participants. Three of the seven informants also opted to take part in the Photovoice portion of the project. “Working to preserve a sense of self” emerged as the essence of living with ESHF and was supported by three themes: i) the work of managing a failing and unreliable body, ii) the work of choreographing daily living; and iii) the work of charting the final chapter of one’s life. The findings from this study provide healthcare professionals with empirically grounded information and insights about the needs and everyday challenges individuals living with ESHF experience, and how clinicians can best support them. Such information is essential in order to plan meaningful, holistic, evidence-based care for ESHF patients.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:MWU.1993/8588
Date29 August 2012
CreatorsLove, Reid Brian
ContributorsMcClement, Susan (Nursing), Sawatzky, Jo-Ann (Nursing) Harlos, Mike (Family Medicine)
Source SetsLibrary and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada
Detected LanguageEnglish

Page generated in 0.002 seconds