DISCOVERING PATIENTS' PERCEPTIONS OF PARTICIPATION IN MANAGING CHRONIC ILLNESS (CARDIAC DISEASE).
Contributors: Wayne State University.
Published: 1993
Number of pages: 178
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.; Health Sciences, Public Health.
Description: The purpose of this study was to explore the congruence between patient perspectives on participating in managing chronic illness and the construct of power as knowing participation in change. Barrett's (1983) theory of power as knowing participation in change was developed within the Rogerian conceptual system. According to this theory, power is considered to be a manifestation of the mutual human environmental process and is defined as "the capacity to participate knowingly in the nature of change" (Barrett, 1986, p. 74). Subjects consisted of 33 individuals diagnosed with cardiac disease who did or did not participate in a cardiac rehabilitation program. Semi-structured interviews were conducted. Questions were directed to elicit their descriptions of their experience in participating in managing their chronic illness. Their responses were tape recorded and transcribed.

The responses were analyzed and synthesized to derive major themes emerging from semi-structured interviews of those who participated and those who did not participate in an organized cardiac rehabilitation program. The themes were examined to identify their congruence with the four components of Barrett's power construct: awareness, choices, freedom to act intentionally, and involvement in creating changes.

Eight themes emerged to represent the perspective of knowing participation in change for those who did participate in an organized cardiac rehabilitation program. Seven of the eight themes were complementary to the four constructs of power defined by Barrett. The eighth theme represented a noncognitive response that was initiated in response to the external cue of a physician's recommendation. This finding may be contrary to the component, freedom to act intentionally as described by Barrett.

Six themes emerged from the interviews of the individuals who did not participate in a cardiac rehabilitation program. All of these themes were congruent with at least three of the four components of Barrett's theory of power as knowing participation in change. None of these themes were contrary to the theory.

The results of the research confirm the theory and its significance for informing nursing interventions for diverse patient groups. Further theory testing through verification of personal experiences is recommended. Implications for nursing practice are outlined to address needs expressed in the themes.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 55-02, Section: B, page: 0371.

Thesis (PH.D.)--WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY, 1993.

School code: 0254.