Abstract
Background: Older women are less likely to be invited to access cardiac rehabilitation programmes. The Vifladt & Hopen model for patient education is aimed to strengthen the ability of patients with long-term illnesses to cope in everyday life.
Aims: To examine how this model was experienced by older women (> 70 years) treated with percutaneous coronary intervention.
Methods: A one-year follow-up of the education programme was conducted by means of focus group interviews (n = 13). A qualitative descriptive design using content analysis was used.
Results: Two main categories emerged: views on topics and matter, and views on form. Experiences of heart event, stress and anxiety were important topics. The women experienced advantages and benefits by meeting others in a similar situation.
Conclusion: A focus on knowledge exchange instead of knowledge transfer encourages talking about self-experienced needs. The women expressed the benefits of the education programme since the discussions emerged from themselves. For the health care professionals there are gains to be made from obtaining the women's point of view and learning more about their needs.
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