ประสบการณ์ความเจ็บป่วยและความต้องการการดูแลของบุคคลที่มีภาวะหัวใจล้มเหลวระยะก้าวหน้าในยุควิถีใหม่

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe the illness experience and care needs of individuals with advanced heart failure in the new normal era. A qualitative research methodology based on the concept of descriptive phenomenology was used. The participants were 12 patients who had been admitted to the cardiology intensive care units of a southern Thailand university hospital more than once in 6 months, from the years 2020 to 2022. Data were collected between April and August 2022. Semi-structured interviews and audio recording were used to collect the data. The data were analyzed according to the Colaizzi method.The findings revealed that illness experience of persons with advanced heart failure in the new normal era could be classified into four themes: 1. lonely illness; 2. illness that depends on the doctor’s decision; 3. illness with which are must be patient with the sufferings in order to be alive; and 4. illness with fluctuation of symptoms.The participants described their illness management in two ways: 1. living with encouragement; and 2. adjusting their own behaviors to alleviate symptoms by controlling water and food, adjusting medication, using alternatives, and urgently seeing a doctor. In addition, the data reflected the care needs of people with advanced heart failure in four themes: 1. need for convenience and fast access to hospital services; 2. need for monitoring and continuing care through a phone call or mobile application; 3. need for family support to live conventionally with the disease; and 4. need for recognition of the progression of the disease. The findings in this study provide understanding of the experiences of illness and needs of person with advanced heart failure in the new normal era. The findings can help physicians and nurses to assist and support people with advanced heart failure in meeting their needs and becoming more involved in their care plan.