Novel Insight into How Nurses Working at PH Specialist Clinics in Sweden Perceive Their Work.

Bodil Ivarsson,Barbro Kjellström

doi:10.3390/healthcare8020180

Bodil Ivarsson, Barbro Kjellström

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare8020180

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Abstract

Outpatient pulmonary hypertension (PH) specialist centers have an important role in the optimal management of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). The aim of the present study was to gain an understanding of the work facing nurses at the outpatient PH specialist centers in Sweden. All nurses (n = 14) working at the outpatient PH specialist centers in Sweden were included. Qualitative content analysis was employed to analyze the interviews, wherein an overarching theme emerged: “Build and maintain a relationship with the patient”. Three categories described the nurses’ experiences: “Ambiguous satisfaction regarding information and communication”, “Acting as a coordinator” and “Professional and personal development”. To provide good patient care, the nurses described the key components as the ability to give information on all aspects of the disease and their availability by phone for patients, their relatives, and other healthcare resources. This requires evidence-based, specialist knowledge about the disease, its care, and treatments as well as experience. In conclusion, working as a nurse at the outpatient PH specialist centers highlight the advantages, expectations, and difficulties in working with patients with a rare and life-threatening illness. The overall knowledge and skills were high, but the nurses expressed a need for in-depth and continued training.

Highlights

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) are rare forms of pulmonary hypertension (PH)
In Sweden 2019, approximately 500 patients lived with PAH and 250 with CTEPH, representing 50 and 25 patients per million inhabitants, respectively [1]
This study provides novel insight into how nurses working at outpatient PH specialist centers in Sweden perceive their work

Summary

Introduction

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) are rare forms of pulmonary hypertension (PH). In Sweden 2019, approximately 500 patients lived with PAH and 250 with CTEPH, representing 50 and 25 patients per million inhabitants, respectively [1]. Patients are being diagnosed with PAH at a higher age than previously, but still, a third of the patients are diagnosed at an age of 50 or younger [1]. Symptoms such as dyspnea and fatigue are common and often affect the patients’ daily life [2,3,4]. The diseases are complex and there is a high need for individualized care, and this need will continue as the disease progresses [6,7]

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