Abstract
Background: Despite the proven benefit of cardiac
rehabilitation (CR) programmes, women have low
rates of attendance and high drop-out compared
to men (Missik 2001). Current research has done
little to advance our understanding of why this
trend persists, although gender-related issues
have recently received greater attention in many
clinical settings. This study aims to describe female
participants’ experience of a CR programme and to
explore how this experience may have a bearing
on attendance.
Methods: A phenomenological method was
employed using qualitative interviews (Parahoo
1997). A purposive sample of ten women who had
suffered a first time myocardial infarction and had
attended and completed a Phase three outpatient
CR programme were selected. Domicillary interviews
were taped, transcribed and analysed using
(Colaizzi’s 1978) approach.
Results: Five central themes were identified which
described this experience. These were: (1) Need
support, (2) Thought of Cardiac rehabilitation is
scary, (3) Chance to tell my own story, (4) I’m not the
only one and (5) Ready to get on with life. Findings
will be presented using verbatim quotations to
describe each theme and demonstrate the relationship
between themes.
Conclusion: This study has identified key features
of females’ experience of CR and factors affecting
their decision to attend. These will be discussed in
the wider perspective of developing more gendersensitive
interventions in professional nursing.
Recommendations may assist practitioners to
develop CR programmes that are more responsive to
the needs of women and facilitate greater awareness
of gender related issues in nursing.
rehabilitation (CR) programmes, women have low
rates of attendance and high drop-out compared
to men (Missik 2001). Current research has done
little to advance our understanding of why this
trend persists, although gender-related issues
have recently received greater attention in many
clinical settings. This study aims to describe female
participants’ experience of a CR programme and to
explore how this experience may have a bearing
on attendance.
Methods: A phenomenological method was
employed using qualitative interviews (Parahoo
1997). A purposive sample of ten women who had
suffered a first time myocardial infarction and had
attended and completed a Phase three outpatient
CR programme were selected. Domicillary interviews
were taped, transcribed and analysed using
(Colaizzi’s 1978) approach.
Results: Five central themes were identified which
described this experience. These were: (1) Need
support, (2) Thought of Cardiac rehabilitation is
scary, (3) Chance to tell my own story, (4) I’m not the
only one and (5) Ready to get on with life. Findings
will be presented using verbatim quotations to
describe each theme and demonstrate the relationship
between themes.
Conclusion: This study has identified key features
of females’ experience of CR and factors affecting
their decision to attend. These will be discussed in
the wider perspective of developing more gendersensitive
interventions in professional nursing.
Recommendations may assist practitioners to
develop CR programmes that are more responsive to
the needs of women and facilitate greater awareness
of gender related issues in nursing.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages | 65-65 |
| Publication status | Published - 2005 |
| Event | The 2005 Royal College of Nursing International Nursing Research Conference - Europa Hotel and Spires Conference Centre , Belfast, United Kingdom Duration: 08 Mar 2005 → 11 Mar 2005 |
Conference
| Conference | The 2005 Royal College of Nursing International Nursing Research Conference |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | United Kingdom |
| City | Belfast |
| Period | 08/03/2005 → 11/03/2005 |