A pessoa com insuficiência cardíaca. Factores que facilitam/dificultam a transição saúde/doença

Heart failure (HF) is responsible for high rates of morbidity and barriers to self-care. In order to develop professional action that facilitates living with this disease it is imperative to know the impact on self-care of people with IC in relation to the health-illness transition process, with reference to the Transition Model of Afaf Meleis. Methods: We chose a qualitative approach, the sample was purposively selected, and semi-structured interviews were conducted. Data collection and analysis were performed according to the constant comparative analysis method of Grounded Theory. Results: Three main categories emerged from the data: “What Has Changed in Me,” “What do I do differently today” and “Factors that interfere with the transition”. “What Has Changed in Me” represents bodily responses to the disease, the impact on self-care and psychosocial processes. Faced with these changes, interviewees developed strategies in relation to the implementation of the therapeutic regimen: management of the activity / rest, food, medicines; these were grouped under the category “What I do differently today.” Family support emerged as a facilitating factor, while simultaneous transitions and economic factors emerged as the most difficult. Conclusions: In daily life, changes in self-care ability and self-monitoring revealed many physical and psychological needs to which nurses need to respond in a professional manner.