Experiences of older cardiac patients with the Cardiac Care Bridge transitional care program; A qualitative study

Abstract

Title: Experiences of older cardiac patients with the Cardiac Care Bridge transitional care program: A qualitative study.

Background: The Cardiac Care Bridge (CCB) transitional care program is a randomized controlled trial aiming to reduce hospital readmissions and mortality for high-risk cardiac patients of 70 years and older. A qualitative study has been conducted as part of the process evaluation of the CCB-program, evaluating patients’ experiences on the care they received. Aim: The aim was to explore older cardiac patients’ experiences with the CCB-program during the hospital-, discharge- and post-clinical phase. Methods: An explorative research with a generic qualitative approach has been performed. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with twelve older cardiac patients at their homes. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analysed using The Framework Method and six themes from the ‘Six Senses Framework’. Results: Few patients had a clear memory about the hospital- and transitional phase of the CCB-program. The six senses were particularly prominent in experiences with the care received during the post-clinical phase. The feeling that there was someone there helping them with recovery and maintain independence, ensured a great sense of security. The sense of purpose and fulfilment particularly came forward in experiences with exercises received from the PT. However, patients did not always recognise the aim of the home-visits received from the CCRN. Conclusion and recommendation: Results indicate that patients experienced a helping hand during their first period of recovery. During further implementation of the CCB-program, attention should be given to tailored information for this target group about the received care and to goalsetting with active involvement of the patient. This may contribute to the sense of continuity of care, insight in the goals to work on, and contribution to recovery and may keep patients motivated for participation.