Experiencing the possibility of near death on a daily basis: A phenomenological study of patients with chronic heart failure

Background: Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a syndrome that greatly impacts people’s lives. Due to the poor prognosis of CHF, together with the frequent exacerbations of symptoms, death is a topic that is very present in the lives of patients with CHF. Objective: To explore thoughts about death experienced by patients with chronic heart failure in their daily lives. Methods: A hermeneutic phenomenological study was carried out. Conversational interviews were conducted with 20 outpatients with chronic heart failure. Analysis of the responses was based on the method proposed by van Manen. Results: From the analysis, four main themes emerged: (1) Feeling afraid of the possibility of dying; (2) Acceptance of the possibility of death; (3) Desiring death for relief from suffering; and (4) Striving to continue living to enjoy family. Conclusions: This study presents, as a novel finding, that people with CHF experience the possibility of near death on a daily basis. This experience, which they must encounter on their own, makes them afraid. In addition, some of them, in view of the discomfort they are living, wish to die, with some even considering committing suicide

Level of empowerment of hospitalized chronic heart failure patient

Fundamento. Conocer el nivel de empoderamiento de las personas con insuficiencia cardiaca crónica hospitalizadas es crucial para identificar a las personas con un nivel de empoderamiento más bajo y fundamentar el diseño de estrategias efectivas para mejorar su control sobre las decisiones y acciones que afectan a su salud y bienestar. La falta de estudio de este fenómeno en esta población y contexto, sugiere que estos pacientes no están siendo atendidos adecuadamente. Material y métodos. Estudio descriptivo, prospectivo. Se utilizó el Cuestionario de empoderamiento del paciente con enfermedad crónica, traducido y validado al español, que consta de 47 ítems, agrupados en tres dimensiones: Actitud positiva y sentido del control, Toma de decisiones compartida e informada, y Búsqueda de información y compartir entre iguales. Fue distribuido para su cumplimentación en las 24 horas previas al alta hospitalaria. Resultados. Se recogieron 25 cuestionarios (81%). La puntuación global media de empoderamiento fue de 165,92 ± 20,9. La dimensión Actitud positiva y sentido de control fue la peor puntuada, con una media de 3,4 ± 0,5. Se encontró una relación inversa y débil entre el nivel de empoderamiento y la edad (rho=-0,240; p=0,000) y una relación débil y positiva con la supervivencia a los 10 años (rho=0,316; p=0,01). Conclusión. El nivel de empoderamiento de los pacientes de este estudio fue medio-alto. Las estrategias para abordar la atención de esta población deberían centrarse en trabajar su actitud respecto a la enfermedad y percepción de control de la situación e individualizarse conforme a la edad.Background. Establishing the level of chronic cardiac inpatient empowerment is essential. By doing so, it is possible to identify groups with a lower level. It also provides a basis for designing effective strategies to improve their control over decision making and the actions that affect their health and wellness. The shortage of studies of this phenomenon for this particular population and context suggests that such patients are not receiving proper care. Methods. A prospective and descriptive study was carried out. A validated Spanish version of the Patient empowerment in long-term conditions scale was used. The survey has 47 items, grouped into three dimensions: Positive attitude and feeling of control, Knowledge in shared decision making, and Seeking information and sharing with other patients. It was distributed 24 hours before hospital discharge. Results. Twenty five questionnaires were collected (81%). The mean global empowerment score of the patients was 165.92 ± 20.9. The dimension Positive attitude and sense of control showed the lowest score, with a mean of 3.4 ± 0.5. An inverse weak relationship was found between the level of empowerment and age (rho=-0.240; p=0.000) while a positive one was found with 10-year survival (rho=0,316; p=0.01). Conclusion. The level of empowerment of the patients in this study was medium-high. The strategies used to address the care of this population should focus on working on their attitude towards the disease and perceived control of the situation, and should be individualized according to age

The significance of exploring conceptual equivalence within the process of the cross-cultural adaptation of tools: The case of the Patient's Perception of Feeling Known by their Nurses Scale

Introduction: The exploration of conceptual equivalence within the process of the cross-cultural adaptation of tools is usually neglected as it generally assumed that the theoretical construct of a tool is conceptualized in the same way in both the original and target culture. This article attempts to throw light on the contribution of the evaluation of conceptual equivalence to the process of adaptation, and for tool development. To illustrate this premise, the example of the cross-cultural adaptation of the Patients' Perception of Feeling Known by their Nurses (PPFKN) Scale is presented. Design: An adapted version of the Sousa and Rojjanasrirat (Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice, 2011, 17(2), 268-274) guidelines was used to translate and culturally adapt the PPFKN Scale to Spanish language and culture. A qualitative descriptive study was added to the traditional process of translation and pilot study to explore the concept in the target culture and recognize conceptual equivalence. Methods: Experts in the tool concept, bilingual translators and the author of the tool participated in the translation of the original tool into Spanish. A pilot study of the Spanish version with a sample of 44 patients and a panel of six experts from different fields evaluated its clarity and relevance. In addition, seven patients participated in a descriptive qualitative study using semi-structured individual interviews to explore the phenomenon in the new culture. A content analysis following the Miles, Huberman & Saldaña (Qualitative data analysis, a methods sourcebook, 2014) approach was used to analyze qualitative data. Results: The cross-cultural translation and adaptation of the PPFKN scale into Spanish required a thorough revision. More than half of the items needed discussions to reach consensus regarding the most appropriate Spanish term. In addition, the study confirmed the four attributes of the concept identified in the American context and allowed for new insights within those attributes to appear. Those aspects reflected characteristics of the phenomenon of being known in the Spanish context and were added to the tool in the format of 10 new items. Conclusions: A comprehensive cross-cultural adaptation of tools should incorporate, together with the study of linguistic and semantic equivalence, the analysis of the conceptual equivalence of the phenomenon in both contexts. The identification, acknowledgment and study of the conceptual differences between two cultures in relation to a phenomenon becomes an opportunity for deeper study of the phenomenon in both cultures, for understanding of their richness and depth, and for the proposal of changes that may enhance the content validity of the tool. Clinical relevance: The evaluation of conceptual equivalence of tools within the process of cross-cultural adaptation will make it possible for target cultures to rely on tools both theoretically sound and significant. Specifically, the cross-cultural adaptation of the PPFKN scale has facilitated the design of a Spanish version of the tool that is linguistically, semantically and theoretically congruent with Spanish culture. The PPFKN Scale is a powerful indicator that evidences nursing care contribution to the patient's experience

Experiencing the possibility of near death on a daily basis: A phenomenological study of patients with chronic heart failure

Background: Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a syndrome that greatly impacts people’s lives. Due to the poor prognosis of CHF, together with the frequent exacerbations of symptoms, death is a topic that is very present in the lives of patients with CHF. Objective: To explore thoughts about death experienced by patients with chronic heart failure in their daily lives. Methods: A hermeneutic phenomenological study was carried out. Conversational interviews were con- ducted with 20 outpatients with chronic heart failure. Analysis of the responses was based on the method proposed by van Manen. Results: From the analysis, four main themes emerged: (1) Feeling afraid of the possibility of dying; (2) Accep- tance of the possibility of death; (3) Desiring death for relief from suffering; and (4) Striving to continue liv- ing to enjoy family. Conclusions: This study presents, as a novel finding, that people with CHF experience the possibility of near death on a daily basis. This experience, which they must encounter on their own, makes them afraid. In addi- tion, some of them, in view of the discomfort they are living, wish to die, with some even considering committing suicide

Experiencing the possibility of near death on a daily basis: A phenomenological study of patients with chronic heart failure

Background: Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a syndrome that greatly impacts people's lives. Due to the poor prognosis of CHF, together with the frequent exacerbations of symptoms, death is a topic that is very present in the lives of patients with CHF. Objective: To explore thoughts about death experienced by patients with chronic heart failure in their daily lives. Methods: A hermeneutic phenomenological study was carried out. Conversational interviews were conducted with 20 outpatients with chronic heart failure. Analysis of the responses was based on the method proposed by van Manen. Results: From the analysis, four main themes emerged: (1) Feeling afraid of the possibility of dying; (2) Acceptance of the possibility of death; (3) Desiring death for relief from suffering; and (4) Striving to continue living to enjoy family. Conclusions: This study presents, as a novel finding, that people with CHF experience the possibility of near death on a daily basis. This experience, which they must encounter on their own, makes them afraid. In addition, some of them, in view of the discomfort they are living, wish to die, with some even considering committing suicide. (C) 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc

Experiencing the possibility of near death on a daily basis: A phenomenological study of patients with chronic heart failure

Background: Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a syndrome that greatly impacts people’s lives. Due to the poor prognosis of CHF, together with the frequent exacerbations of symptoms, death is a topic that is very present in the lives of patients with CHF. Objective: To explore thoughts about death experienced by patients with chronic heart failure in their daily lives. Methods: A hermeneutic phenomenological study was carried out. Conversational interviews were con- ducted with 20 outpatients with chronic heart failure. Analysis of the responses was based on the method proposed by van Manen. Results: From the analysis, four main themes emerged: (1) Feeling afraid of the possibility of dying; (2) Accep- tance of the possibility of death; (3) Desiring death for relief from suffering; and (4) Striving to continue liv- ing to enjoy family. Conclusions: This study presents, as a novel finding, that people with CHF experience the possibility of near death on a daily basis. This experience, which they must encounter on their own, makes them afraid. In addi- tion, some of them, in view of the discomfort they are living, wish to die, with some even considering committing suicide

Experiencing the possibility of near death on a daily basis: A phenomenological study of patients with chronic heart failure

Background: Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a syndrome that greatly impacts people’s lives. Due to the poor prognosis of CHF, together with the frequent exacerbations of symptoms, death is a topic that is very present in the lives of patients with CHF. Objective: To explore thoughts about death experienced by patients with chronic heart failure in their daily lives. Methods: A hermeneutic phenomenological study was carried out. Conversational interviews were conducted with 20 outpatients with chronic heart failure. Analysis of the responses was based on the method proposed by van Manen. Results: From the analysis, four main themes emerged: (1) Feeling afraid of the possibility of dying; (2) Acceptance of the possibility of death; (3) Desiring death for relief from suffering; and (4) Striving to continue living to enjoy family. Conclusions: This study presents, as a novel finding, that people with CHF experience the possibility of near death on a daily basis. This experience, which they must encounter on their own, makes them afraid. In addition, some of them, in view of the discomfort they are living, wish to die, with some even considering committing suicide

Experiencing the possibility of near death on a daily basis: A phenomenological study of patients with chronic heart failure

Background: Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a syndrome that greatly impacts people's lives. Due to the poor prognosis of CHF, together with the frequent exacerbations of symptoms, death is a topic that is very present in the lives of patients with CHF. Objective: To explore thoughts about death experienced by patients with chronic heart failure in their daily lives. Methods: A hermeneutic phenomenological study was carried out. Conversational interviews were conducted with 20 outpatients with chronic heart failure. Analysis of the responses was based on the method proposed by van Manen. Results: From the analysis, four main themes emerged: (1) Feeling afraid of the possibility of dying; (2) Acceptance of the possibility of death; (3) Desiring death for relief from suffering; and (4) Striving to continue living to enjoy family. Conclusions: This study presents, as a novel finding, that people with CHF experience the possibility of near death on a daily basis. This experience, which they must encounter on their own, makes them afraid. In addition, some of them, in view of the discomfort they are living, wish to die, with some even considering committing suicide. (C) 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc

Level of empowerment of hospitalized chronic heart failure patient

Fundamento. Conocer el nivel de empoderamiento de las personas con insuficiencia cardiaca crónica hospitalizadas es crucial para identificar a las personas con un nivel de empoderamiento más bajo y fundamentar el diseño de estrategias efectivas para mejorar su control sobre las decisiones y acciones que afectan a su salud y bienestar. La falta de estudio de este fenómeno en esta población y contexto, sugiere que estos pacientes no están siendo atendidos adecuadamente. Material y métodos. Estudio descriptivo, prospectivo. Se utilizó el Cuestionario de empoderamiento del paciente con enfermedad crónica, traducido y validado al español, que consta de 47 ítems, agrupados en tres dimensiones: Actitud positiva y sentido del control, Toma de decisiones compartida e informada, y Búsqueda de información y compartir entre iguales. Fue distribuido para su cumplimentación en las 24 horas previas al alta hospitalaria. Resultados. Se recogieron 25 cuestionarios (81%). La puntuación global media de empoderamiento fue de 165,92 ± 20,9. La dimensión Actitud positiva y sentido de control fue la peor puntuada, con una media de 3,4 ± 0,5. Se encontró una relación inversa y débil entre el nivel de empoderamiento y la edad (rho=-0,240; p=0,000) y una relación débil y positiva con la supervivencia a los 10 años (rho=0,316; p=0,01). Conclusión. El nivel de empoderamiento de los pacientes de este estudio fue medio-alto. Las estrategias para abordar la atención de esta población deberían centrarse en trabajar su actitud respecto a la enfermedad y percepción de control de la situación e individualizarse conforme a la edad.Background. Establishing the level of chronic cardiac inpatient empowerment is essential. By doing so, it is possible to identify groups with a lower level. It also provides a basis for designing effective strategies to improve their control over decision making and the actions that affect their health and wellness. The shortage of studies of this phenomenon for this particular population and context suggests that such patients are not receiving proper care. Methods. A prospective and descriptive study was carried out. A validated Spanish version of the Patient empowerment in long-term conditions scale was used. The survey has 47 items, grouped into three dimensions: Positive attitude and feeling of control, Knowledge in shared decision making, and Seeking information and sharing with other patients. It was distributed 24 hours before hospital discharge. Results. Twenty five questionnaires were collected (81%). The mean global empowerment score of the patients was 165.92 ± 20.9. The dimension Positive attitude and sense of control showed the lowest score, with a mean of 3.4 ± 0.5. An inverse weak relationship was found between the level of empowerment and age (rho=-0.240; p=0.000) while a positive one was found with 10-year survival (rho=0,316; p=0.01). Conclusion. The level of empowerment of the patients in this study was medium-high. The strategies used to address the care of this population should focus on working on their attitude towards the disease and perceived control of the situation, and should be individualized according to age