Patients perspective on endocarditis — an intermezzo in life
Received 6 January 2009; received in revised form 20 November 2009; accepted 23 November 2009. published online 17 December 2009.
Abstract
Background
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.
Aim
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.
Methods
Qualitative interviews were conducted with 10 patients with IE (age 27–75) and transcribed. The analysis consisted of three levels.
Results
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.
Conclusion
IE is found to be a time of uncertainty and impenetrableness, where many things change, not least the perception of the body and self.
ABSTRACT