Self-care Behavior Among Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome Post Coronary Stent Intervention: A Mixed Methods Study

Abstract

This mixed methods research aimed to study self-care behavior among patients with acute coronary syndrome post coronary stent intervention who had been admitted to Sappasitthiprasong hospital in Ubon Ratchathani province, Thailand. The qualitative portion of the study was conducted using in-depth interviews with a sample of 35 persons, consisting of 10 patients, 10 caregivers, and 15 health care team members. The quantitative portion of the study had specific sample group 188 patients. Data were collected using a self-care behavior questionnaire. The result of the content validity test was .91 and the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was .82. Qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis. Quantitative data were analyzed using frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations.

The qualitative analysis found that, post coronary stent placement, some patients still had problems with self-care because they did not understand how to care for themselves. Support was needed, including receiving self-care advice, having a channel for contact and inquiries, and rapid ambulance service in the community when needed. Caregivers reported that they provided care to patients in terms of preparing foods and medications and working to support the family financially. What caregivers wanted from the health care teams was the provision of continuous follow-up care for the patients. The health care teams reported that patients lacked an understanding about risk factor control. The needs required to support patient care, include: 1) Promoting knowledge of the health personnel, patients, and caregivers in the community, 2) Having sufficient necessary medical supplies and equipment, 3) Using the LINE group application to contact patients, and 4) Providing care to patients through a multidisciplinary team. Quantitative analysis results found that, post coronary stent placement, patients had mean scores of self-care behaviors at good levels, except for seeking help from a reliable person when sick, which was at the satisfied level. The results of this study can be used as a guideline for organizing activities to promote behavioral changes in self-care among the high-risk group of patients with acute coronary syndrome and patients post coronary stent intervention. The findings suggest that further program development to enable patients to have self-care behaviors which are more appropriated for their disease would help reduce the severity and frequency of complications. Moreover, it can be used as a guideline to promote the knowledge levels of health care teams and caregivers in the community.