Experiences of patients who had undergone coronary artery bypass graft surgery with strengths-based nursing care

Objective: Strengths-based nursing is a new approach and care philosophy and it is still unclear how it affects patients in the surgery period. The aim of this study was to determine the experiences of patients who had undergone coronary artery bypass graft surgery managed treated with this philosophy. Patients and Methods: This qualitative study consisted of 23 patients who had undergone coronary artery bypass graft surgery in the Cardiovascular Surgery Department of a university hospital in Izmir, Turkey. The data were collected using Individual Identification Form, Semi-structured Interview Forms, SWOT Analysis Form and Classification of Qualitative Strengths Form. Thematic data analysis was used to evaluate patient answers to the research questions. Results: According to the analyses performed, seven main themes consisting of “Perception of Being Strong”, “Perception of Being Weak”, “Care Process”, “Effects of Heart Disease”, “Reason for the Occurrence of the Disease”, “Need for Knowledge” and “Solution Seeking” were determined in the preoperative interviews, and five main themes consisting of “Perception of Being Strong”, “Perception of Being Weak”, “Surgery”, “Care Process” and “Education” were determined in the postoperative interviews. Conclusion: This new philosophy in patient management has positive effects because it increases patients’ hopes for life, healing and facilitating adaptation to the surgical procedure.