Experiences and perspectives of nursing students on self-management promotion in patients with coronary heart disease

Background/aims Self-management in patients with coronary heart disease is essential to the prevention of cardiac complications and the minimisation of morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to explore the knowledge and perceptions of student nurses on promotion of self-management and lifestyle changes in patients with coronary heart disease. Methods A qualitative methodology was adopted using semi-structured face-to-face interviews with undergraduate nursing students in their third and fourth year of studies. Through purposive sampling, eight participants were recruited from a higher education institute in Scotland. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed by thematic analysis. Results Three themes emerged: self-management, barriers to effective self-management and health promotion. The perceived barriers included lack of effective communication, patients' perception of their illness and lack of time and identified motivators to good delivery of health promotion. Conclusions Pre-registration healthcare students may benefit from more education on patient self-management from a theoretical and practical perspective. Post-registration education might also be useful to nurses to increase their knowledge and confidence in the delivery of health promotion to patients.