Qualitative analysis of 28 hypertensive patients revealed that upon discovering their disease, they assume a hypertensive identity and become proactive in self-managing their health care.
Qualitative analysis reveals that when hypertensive patients understand their disease process, they assume a hypertensive identity and become proactive in self-management.
AIMS: The aim of this study was to interpret how hypertensive patients experience health care self-management. BACKGROUND: Hypertension is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases worldwide. The involvement of individuals in the management of their health care to treat this disease is fundamental, with aid and advice from healthcare professionals, especially nurses, so that hypertensive patients can effectively self-manage their health care. DESIGN: Qualitative study. METHODS: Hypertensive patients were recruited using theoretical sampling. The study sample consisted of 28 hypertensive patients aged 18-59 years who were registered in the e-Health programme of the Ministry of Health. Data were collected and analyzed between September 2012-October 2014 using a semi-structured interview based on the methodological framework of the constructivist grounded theory. FINDINGS: The participants' statements depicted an outline of their experience with the disease: the beginning of the illness; understanding the disease process; incorporating behaviour for self-management of the disease; experiencing attitudes and actions in the control and treatment of the disease; and being treated in the public healthcare system. A central phenomenon emerged, namely hypertensive patients' experience of self-management of health care. CONCLUSION: This phenomenon has paths, actions and interactions. When patients discover that they have the disease and become aware of the disease process, they assume the identity of being hypertensive and become proactive in their health care and in living with their families and in communities.
Balduino et al. (Sat,) conducted a other in Hypertension (n=28). Self-management of health care was evaluated on Experience of self-management of health care. Qualitative analysis of 28 hypertensive patients revealed that upon discovering their disease, they assume a hypertensive identity and become proactive in self-managing their health care.