Hope in action - facing cardiac death: A qualitative study of patients with life-threatening disease
Type
Journal article; Peer reviewedPeer reviewed
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Date
2011-03-18
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Coping with existential challenges is important when struck by serious disease, but apart from cancer and palliative care
little is known about how patients deal with such issues and maintain hope. To explore how patients with life-threatening
heart disease experience hope when coping with mortality and other existential challenges, we conducted a qualitative study
with semi-structured interviews. We made a purposive sample of 11 participants (26 88 years) who had experienced lifethreatening
disease: eight participants with serious heart disease, two with cancer, and one with severe chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease. Analysis was by systematic text condensation. The findings showed that hope could enhance coping and
diminish existential distress when patients were confronted with mortality and other existential challenges. Hope was
observed as three types of dynamic work: to shift perception of mortality from overwhelming horror toward suppression or
peaceful acceptance, to foster reconciliation instead of uncertainty when adapting to the new phase of life, and to establish
go-ahead spirit instead of resignation as their identity. Meaning of life could, hence, be sustained in spite of serious threats to
the persons’ future, everyday life, and self-conception. The work of hoping could be supported or disturbed by relationships
with family, friends, and health care professionals. Hope can be regarded as an active, dynamic state of existential coping
among patients with life-threatening disease. Physicians may support this coping and thereby provide personal growth and
alleviation of existential distress by skillfully identifying, acknowledging, and participating in the work of hoping performed
by the patient.
Citation
International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being 6(1): 5917Publisher
Informa HealthcareCollections
Copyright 2011 M. A. Schaufel et al.
M. A. Schaufel et al.
M. A. Schaufel et al.