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Patients Perspective on Endocarditis — An Intermezzo in Life

2009; Oxford University Press; Volume: 9; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/j.ejcnurse.2009.11.007

1873-1953

Selina Kikkenborg Berg, Pernille Preisler, Birthe D. Pedersen,

Infectious Aortic and Vascular Conditions

Infective endocaditis (IE) is a life threatening disease with a mortality rate of 20-25%. There have been no previous reports, which describe the experience of health of patients suffering from IE.This study aimed to describe patients with IE's experience of health. This was done by having patients describe their experiences both before and during hospital admission, their experience of their physical symptoms, and their expectations for future health.Qualitative interviews were conducted with 10 patients with IE (age 27-75) and transcribed. The analysis consisted of three levels.The overall concept that emerged was that IE is perceived as an intermezzo in life. The interviewees explain that a sudden unexpected physical change occurs that is difficult to understand and interpret. The concept "intermezzo in life" can be expounded as the following themes: Presage and appearance of IE, Reaction to IE, Living through IE, The little life with IE, Body change and Loved ones at a distance.IE is found to be a time of uncertainty and impenetrableness, where many things change, not least the perception of the body and self.