Journal of Patient Experience (Sep 2018)

Naive Expectations to Resignation

  • Michael M Evans PhD, MSEd, RN, ACNS, CMSRN, CNE,
  • Judith E Hupcey EdD, CRNP, FAAN,
  • Lisa Kitko PhD, RN, FAHA, FAAN,
  • Windy Alonso PhD, RN

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1177/2374373517750412
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 5

Abstract

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Purpose: This study examined life descriptions of persons with stage D heart failure (HF) comparing those newly diagnosed to those with chronic HF. Methods: A secondary analysis of interviews from 75 participants followed in a longitudinal study of persons with stage D HF was thematically analyzed. There were 24 participants who were recently diagnosed with stage D HF (less than 2 years) and 51 participants with HF longer than 2 years. Results: Both groups shared life descriptions along a continuum, where recently diagnosed participants described naive expectations with hope for improvement, while the chronic group appeared resigned to their fate and the reality of the limitations of living with HF. Four themes illustrated differences between the groups: outlook on life, activity adjustments, understanding of HF, and mood. Conclusions: Although persons with stage D HF share the same life descriptions, they have differing perspectives of life with HF. Findings from this study can help health-care providers tailor interventions based on the length of time from diagnosis.