Judith J. Sugay
Most people survive their first heart attack and try to return to their normal lives. However, having a heart attack entails an individual to make some changes in his life to effectively cope with myocardial infarction (MI) right after hospitalization. When transferred to different care settings, these patients become more vulnerable and hinder their recovery. This study explored the coping strategies and quality of life (QOL) of patients with MI. Furthermore, a transitional care model (TCM) was developed.
The study utilized a mixed method design. The participants were discharged MI patients age 40 to 65 years old from hospitals in Metro Manila. Self-made and adapted questionnaire were used. A Semi-structured interview was conducted to explore the participants’ QOL as to physical, emotional, and social domains. The variables were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Association between coping strategies and QOL were determined using Pearson’s r, and thematic analysis for the qualitative data.
Result shows that when grouped according to gender, women had better social QOL (MS: 4.08) than men (MS: 3.93). In physical QOL, men (MS: 5.02) had better QOL than women (MS: 4.91). Employed (MS: 5.35) had the better quality of life than retired (MS: 5.00), and unemployed (MS: 3.30). There is no significant relationship (0.85) between the participants’ coping strategy and QOL. The identified themes showed interrelatedness of the coping strategies used and the QOL were described as interaction role, touching role, and support role.
Coping was evident on certain emotional, physical, and social strategies. There was uncertainty on emotional and physical QOL because of their dependency from other people. The developed TCM illustrated how an integrated care could guide the patients after hospitalization and seek care through different health programs in the community.
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