School of Health, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK.
J Adv Nurs. 2012 Aug;68(8):1707-15. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2011.05849.x. Epub 2011 Oct 21.
This paper is a report of a study of how people's experiences of transient ischaemic attack affect their perception of their health and their uptake of health maintenance measures.
Transient ischaemic attack is a well-recognized warning sign of subsequent stroke, but early diagnosis and management of risk factors can substantially reduce this risk. Even though the physical effects of a transient ischaemic attack are transient, it is known to negatively affect quality of life. However, no qualitative studies have explored the impact of transient ischaemic attack on people's everyday lives.
Sixteen participants were recruited from a vascular surgery clinic in a district general hospital in North West England. All had a recent transient ischaemic attack. A qualitative grounded theory study using detailed interviews (n = 21) was conducted.
Participants experienced conflict between acknowledgement of the transient ischaemic attack as a significant illness episode with implications for their long-term health, and denial of its seriousness. Although they often ignored the initial signs, participants also experienced fear due to increased awareness of their risk of stroke. Often, they believed that they were having a permanent stroke. Many participants were prompted to seek medical advice by a family member or acquaintance. Having a transient ischaemic attack negatively changed their perception of their health and their quality of life, but some also viewed it as a positive event that had warned of their stroke risk and enabled them to take up health maintenance measures.
Having a transient ischaemic attack permanently changes people's quality of life and their perception of their health, despite the transience of the symptoms. The ability of people to make positive health changes after a transient ischaemic attack to some extent ameliorates the negative effects of being aware of their heightened stroke risk. Their appreciation of their quality of life may also be enhanced. The transience of the symptoms and lack of knowledge of transient ischaemic attacks lead to delays in seeking medical advice.
本文是一项研究报告，旨在探讨人们经历短暂性脑缺血发作（TIA）的体验如何影响他们对自身健康的认知以及对健康维护措施的接受程度。
TIA 是后续中风的一个公认预警信号，但早期诊断和管理风险因素可显著降低这种风险。尽管 TIA 的身体影响是短暂的，但它已知会对生活质量产生负面影响。然而，目前尚无定性研究探讨 TIA 对人们日常生活的影响。
本研究从英格兰西北部一家地区综合医院的血管外科诊所招募了 16 名参与者，他们均在近期发生过 TIA。采用详细访谈（n = 21）进行了一项定性扎根理论研究。
参与者经历了 TIA 作为严重影响其长期健康的疾病发作的认知与对其严重程度的否认之间的冲突。尽管他们经常忽略最初的症状，但由于对中风风险的认识增加，他们也感到恐惧。他们经常认为自己正在经历永久性中风。许多参与者因家人或熟人的提醒而寻求医疗建议。TIA 的发生使他们对自身健康和生活质量的认知发生了负面变化，但有些人也将其视为积极事件，因为它警示了中风风险并使他们能够采取健康维护措施。
尽管 TIA 的症状是短暂的，但它会永久性地改变人们的生活质量和对健康的认知。人们在 TIA 后能够进行积极的健康改变，在一定程度上减轻了意识到自身中风风险增加的负面影响。他们对生活质量的欣赏程度也可能提高。症状的短暂性和对 TIA 的缺乏了解导致了寻求医疗建议的延迟。
