Abstract
The purpose of this study was to observe the postoperative survival process of the eight patients-seven males and one female-who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). After CABG, most of the patients went through life-threatening experiences. Qualitative inductive design was utilized in explaining and describing postoperative survival process. For collecting data, participant observation and semi-structured interview were used. For data analyses, constant comparative method based on Grounded Theory Approach was adopted.
It turned out that survival process was observed between the 4th day and the 7th after the operation, after which period the patients were able to“manage their own life”. It also turned out that postoperative survival process consisted of five consecutive phases, -a) “being-in-the-dark condition”, b) “beginning to feel alive”, c) “feeling his or her life not to be under complete control”, d) “gradually getting out of the previous c-phase and trying his or her own ability” and e) “having his or her life under control”. These five phases arose in accordance with the enhancement of a) “the degree of physical movement”, b) “the degree of controlling his or her life-supporting functions”, and c) “the degree of arousal of vitality”. In proportion to the recovery of the three “dimensions” mentioned above, we could observe the five phases consecutively surfacing. This study shows that postoperative survival process owes much to the patients' willingness to recover. Consequently it seems to be of utmost importance to encourage the patients to be self-reliant and self-subsistent.
