Phenomenological Study on Illness Experience of Men with Myocardial Infarction in Korea

한국 남성 심근경색증 환자의 질병 체험에 관한 현상학적 연구

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to identify and describe illness experiences of men with myocardial infarction. Methods: Data were collected through individual in-depth interviews with 10 male patients. Analysis was done using phenomenological analysis. Results: Five theme clusters including 11 themes emerged. 1) "Unexpected grave disease instantly dividing life and death" describes the great ignorance of symptoms and experience as a survivor narrowly escaping death. 2) "A disease still not considered a disease" illustrates the paradoxical and confusing situation between low level of awareness of the severity of the disease and high level of reflection on their unhealthy lifestyles. 3) "Fighting against me for health" illustrates their resolution and action to maintain health while experiencing helplessness. 4) "Relationships in a no-win situation" contains defensive posture due to social stigma and the dilemma of family breadwinners. And 5) "Introspection of past and future life" describes positive turnings in life through enlightenment in addition to remorseful feeling about the past and persistent worry of death. Conclusion: Health professionals need to support men with myocardial infarction by providing family-oriented and empowerment-based self-management interventions to lead to success in their illness journey and to improve their quality of life.