A Qualitative Research On Psychological Experience Of Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction

Objective: This research aims to learn the psychological experience of patients with acute myocardial infarction(AMI). This is a chronological study with qualitative research methods, beginning from the heart attack to the period when the patients are to be discharged from hospital after treatment. The purpose of this study is to provide clinical references for medical workers to learn the mental state and to perform proper and timely interventions.Methods: Semi-structure interviews were conducted with 10 patients with AMI. Data were analyzed using grounded theory approach.Results: 14 themes and 5 secondary themes were concluded. The stage of before hospitalization is defined as the time before admission to a certain first-class hospital for diagnosis and treatment. The 4 themes before hospitalization are: confusion and fluke at the first atypical symptoms, assumptions for the first atypical symptoms, alertness for the symptoms of AMI, and a sheer blankness at the time of sharp pain. The hospitalized stage in this study is defined as the time from reaching a certain level first-class hospital for diagnosis to being allowed discharge. The 6 themes and 3 secondary themes during hospitalization are: helplessness and dependence when diagnosed, fear of immediate death induced by AMI, confusion on various problems such as operation time, excretory after PCI, knowledge details, the feel of safety after PCI, the fear of AMI, and the worry about over-treatment. The discharge period is defined as the time within 3 days before discharge. The 4 themes and 2 secondary themes when they are to be discharged from hospital are: awakening from AMI, determination to change unhealthy lifestyle, anxiety over stent fracture and the possibility of vascular getting blocked again, and inferiority and pessimism about the role change.Conclusions: This finding provides some reference for the medical staff to better communicate with patients and help solve their problems. Targeted intervention should be performed to different psychological problems of AMI patients at different periods so as to improve treatment before hospitalization, to promote mental as well as physical rehabilitation, and to improve their quality of life after being discharged from hospital.