Family Nursing Therapeutic Conversations: Family Reorganization Processes After Diagnosis

Abstract

ObjectiveTo explore and explain the readjustment processes of families living with a family member suffering from heart failure 1 year after having attended a heart failure clinic where family nursing therapeutic conversations were conducted.BackgroundLiving with heart failure is challenging for both the patient and the family due to role shifts and drastic lifestyle changes. Long‐term support for the entire family is needed from health care professionals. Evidence for suitable family interventions is scarce.MethodJoint interviews with 15 families in which a member suffered from heart failure were conducted. Theoretical sampling guided the inclusion of families, and a grounded theory approach was used to analyze data.ResultsThe core category to emerge was reorganizing family life, which included the process of balancing competing needs on an individual level and as a family. The needs in question involved maintaining personal integrity and maintaining family bonds in the context of health care and daily living.ConclusionsThe process of reorganizing family life seemed to stabilize during the first year. Exploring family illness narratives and family perception of needs and goals guided by health care professionals seem to support families' well‐being and adjustment processes.ImplicationsKnowledge from this study could improve collaboration between families and health care professionals and support the communication within families living with heart failure.