Date Presented 04/02/2022
Eight million coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgeries are performed worldwide annually to ameliorate the effects of atherosclerosis on the cardiovascular system; there is a higher incidence in developing countries, such as Jordan. CABG surgeries are invasive, with a lengthy recovery, and affect an individual’s occupational performance. This study aimed to investigate the lived experiences and recovery of Jordanians with CABG surgeries, focusing on an OT lens.
Primary Author and Speaker: Najiba Zaidova
Additional Authors and Speakers: Mohammad Nazzal
Contributing Authors: Raja’a Alzoubi, Alaa Jaber
PURPOSE: Coronary artery disease is a cardiovascular disease that is among the leading causes of death annually worldwide, characterized by atherosclerosis of the arteries. Coronary artery bypass graft surgeries are performed to ameliorate the effects of atherosclerosis on the cardiovascular system. Determining patients’ needs following surgery is crucial to the recovery period and requires transfer of knowledge from healthcare providers to patients. Currently, there is no existing literature examining the past lived experiences of Jordanians with coronary artery bypass graft surgeries. It is important to understand how coronary artery bypass graft surgeries impact a person’s day-to-day activities and to analyze potential, long-term implications in a developing society.
DESIGN: This study is a phenomenological, qualitative design using face-to-face individual interviews.
METHOD: In order to explore the lived experiences of patients with previous coronary artery bypass graft surgeries, a semi-structured interview guide was created to investigate the experiences of seven individuals up to one year post-surgery. Interviews were audiotaped and later transcribed verbatim. Line-by-line coding was conducted to establish themes and related sub-themes. The study was conducted in Irbid, Jordan during October and November of 2021.
RESULTS: Participant narratives were classified into the following overarching themes: challenges and adaptions. The challenges’ theme was exhibited as follows: (1) limited mobility and activity tolerance, (2) fear of the future and psychological distress, (3) fear of returning to work, and (4) limited rehabilitation services and support. On the other hand, the adaptation theme was exhibited as follows: (1) family support, (2) spirituality, and (3) hope.
CONCLUSION: This study offers a unique, occupational therapy perspective within a Middle Eastern society that has not been examined before. It is imperative that the medical professionals utilize client-centered care based on the biopsychosocial model to examine and create holistic plans for these individuals. The findings emphasize the need to implement interdisciplinary cardiopulmonary rehabilitation programs for individuals with cardiovascular conditions, including those who undergo invasive surgeries, such as the coronary artery bypass graft surgery. This is an underserved area of practice in Jordan that would benefit individuals and communities. There is an increased necessity for occupational therapy practitioners to fulfill the gaps in the continuum of care for patients with coronary artery bypass graft surgeries, and this research will likely have an impact on how delivery of services are provided to future patients who will undergo coronary artery bypass graft surgeries.
References
Malakar, A. K., Choudhury, D., Halder, B., Paul, P., Uddin, A., & Chakraborty, S. (2019). A review on coronary artery disease, its risk factors, and therapeutics. Journal of cellular physiology, 234(10), 16812–16823. https://doi-org.beckerproxy.wustl.edu/10.1002/jcp.28350
Mohammadi, N., Abbasi, M., Nikbakht Nasrabadi, A., Salehiomran, A., Davaran, S., & Norouzadeh, R. (2015). Passion for Life: Lived Experiences of Patients after Coronary Artery Bypass Graft. The journal of Tehran Heart Center, 10(3), 129–133.
