CARDIAC-CATHETERIZATION - THE PATIENTS PERSPECTIVE

Objective: To identify the patients' experience of cardiac catheteriza tion. Design: Descriptive, qualitative, phenomenologic. Setting: Large southeastern teaching hospital with an active cardiac catheterization laboratory and research center. Patients: Ten men, between 44 and 73 years of age, who had undergone their first cardiac catheterization. R esults: The participants described feelings of loss of control of phys ical and personal self; an increased fear of the unknown during the te st and especially of outcomes that might affect their future; a focus on time and its relationship to complication; a need not to be alone a nd not to be isolated after the test; and an awareness of spiritual be lief in the good of others, trusting in their competencies. Conclusion s: This study suggests the need for more attention to the psychologic aspects of the test, especially to the outcomes, negative as well as p ositive, and how they may affect the patient.