Fysioterapeuten (May 2023)
Aren’t hearts gendered? Womens' (de)tours between everyday life and heart disease. An interview study
Abstract
Background: Heart diseases is a common death cause for women in Norway. Insufficient recognition of gender can lead to underdiagnose and poor outcome. This study inquiries into women’s experiences with rehabilitation after heart disease, and how physiotherapists can contribute to the women’s new everyday lives. Material and methods:This is a case study of heart rehabilitation in Norway. Twelve women (40-80 years), strategically selected, participated in to focus group and individual interviews. The analysis focused on the significance of gender. Findings: Physiotherapists are responsible for organising and running heart rehabilitation. Findings are organized as four detours: 1) from symptom to treatment, 2) the process of change, 3) encounters with health services, 4) moving forward. Physiotherapists have a window of opportunity to guide the women in re-establishing a relationship to their own body and create new everyday habits, but they do not utilise this potential to the full extent in the rehabilitation program. Conclusion: Gender and heart health are intertwined, but gendered significances are not integrated in heart rehabilitation. Ignoring gender creates barriers for women’s participation in rehabilitation and creates detours towards recuperation and everyday living. Physiotherapists can influence organisation and running of rehabilitation programs but have so far not seized this opportunity to reduce gendered health inequality.
