Coping strategies used by patients after coronary angioplasty: a qualitative study

Coronary artery disease and angioplasty treatment is the potential factor that can lead to rupture life style and physical, psychological and social tension in patients. Therefore, patients need to make a change in their own physical, psychological and social functioning to cope with the conditions stated above. So that how to cope with the disease and its treatment is a major challenge for these patients and researchers. The aim of this study is to explore important coping strategies used by Iranian patients after coronary angioplasty. This qualitative study conducted with conventional content analysis. Participants included twenty patients under coronary angioplasty. Data gathered through individual semi-structured interviews. Purposeful Sampling continued until data saturation. The data were analyzed continuously and simultaneously with data gathering. During the process of data analysis, two themes reflected the experience and dimensions of understanding of coping strategies in patients after angioplasty, which included: 1- acceptance of and dealing with illness consisting: conscious forgetfulness, comparing, positive thinking, assume illness as negligible, patience and fatalism and 2- use of available supportive resources, including: reliance on family, using similar patients’ support and getting partial support from physicians. the results stated that the patients apply various strategies to deal with their illness and conditions. In-depth understanding of strategies that influence the patients coping with illness and their challenges will contribute to the nursing body of knowledge. It also helps nurses and other health care professionals, and patients’ families in reinforcing the most effective coping strategies and promoting the quality of care.