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Exploring the illness perceptions and coping strategies of decliners of cardiac-rehabilitation programmes

Constable, Michelle

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Authors

Michelle Constable



Abstract

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Cardiac-rehabilitation (CR) can be effective in the secondary prevention of CHD demonstrating improved physical and psychological outcomes for those who attend. However, only 50% of eligible UK patients attend. Literature to date has focused on patients who attend CR or those who drop out. In this study the illness perceptions and coping strategies of patients who decline CR were explored using the Common-sense Model of Self-regulation (Leventhal, Nerez, and Steele, 1984) and the Transactional Model of Stress and Coping (Lazarus and Folkman, 1984). Using a qualitative approach, 10 patients (five male and five female), took part in semi-structured interviews within six months of referral to a CR programme. Thematic analysis indicated that decliners of CR programmes report very low levels of illness identity and that benefits of CR were poorly understood. This is pivotal to understanding reasons for non-engagement as previous research suggests that CR attenders, and those who drop out report high levels of illness identity. Emotion focused strategies dominated accounts, however, secondary prevention strategies such as walking, were independently employed. Participants voiced a desire for alternative support that was tailored to their needs, often later in their recovery journey, such as lifestyle changes and psychological adjustment with flexible delivery approaches such as telephone or digital support. This study demonstrates the importance of understanding the illness perceptions of CR decliners to support secondary prevention strategies and effective support for CHD patients.

Citation

Constable, M. Exploring the illness perceptions and coping strategies of decliners of cardiac-rehabilitation programmes. (Thesis). University of the West of England. Retrieved from https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/4616794

Thesis Type Thesis
Deposit Date Nov 14, 2019
Publicly Available Date Dec 23, 2019
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/4616794
Award Date Nov 14, 2019

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