BACK IN CIRCULATION, OR DANCING AROUND THE CIRCLE? PARTICIPATORY ACTION RESEARCH IN THE CONTEXT OF CARDIAC REHABILITATION.
Contributors: Union Institute (U.S.)
Published: 1992
Number of pages: 107
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.
Description: Cardiac rehabilitation has a long tradition of promoting client recovery, mobilization and risk modification following acute cardiac events or surgical intervention. Within this context, the profession of nursing has played an active role--in ongoing monitoring, client and family education and in the provision of support. In spite of the refinement of clinical approaches to cardiac rehabilitation, the needs of persons with long-term cardiac illness are not well understood, nor are they accounted for in the planning and implementation of community-based care. This report originated as a social action project focused on the needs of clients with long-term cardiac illness. Rehabilitation issues were defined and made explicit, and specific recommendations or directives were developed$\...$by the research participants themselves. Through the methodology of participatory action research, clients became active collaborators in shaping the research agenda and the actions which evolved. Using a repeated focus group format, the investigator worked with two client groups in the description of issues and the generation of a proposal directed at specific target groups. Qualitative analysis of both the content of the data and the processes whereby data were generated revealed expressive and action-oriented themes that captured the essence of the group discussions and the ensuing deliberations. The action research approach holds great potential for adding insight into the experiences associated with long-term illness. Furthermore, its compatibility with the goals, foci and processes inherent in the practice of nursing renders it suitable for further consideration as a method of nursing research.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 53-11, Section: B, page: 5643.

Thesis (PH.D.)--THE UNION INSTITUTE, 1992.

School code: 1033.