Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the processes of decision making for the preventive-operation in the patients with asymptomatic cerebrovascular diseases.
In the domain of preventive surgical treatment for asymptomatic cerebrovascular diseases, there are still many uncertain and controversial elements. Meanings of the experiences of patients who undergo the preventive-operation are not known. Using qualitative method, we analyzed open-ended interviews of 15 patients who underwent the preventive-operation, it was found that the process of decision making has two main dimensions. One was explained as category of sequential process, and another was explained as category relevant to the process. In the sequential process-category,'confusion,''hesitation/fluctuation,''examination of the prospect,' and'decision making which is like a bet/at the risk' were accrued sequentially. The elements-category consisted of internal emotions and experiences of the interpersonal to external human resources. The internal emotions included'perception of distance from illness' and 'perception of becoming a sick person temporarily.' And experiences in the interpersonal to external human resources 'perception of being connected with the doctor' and 'adhering to the family functions.' Those patients intuitively felt presentiment that they might have an attack right of the diagnosis. In this study, we revealed that patients made a decision under the serious uncertainty.
However, nurses had hardly participated in their hard situation to support the process of the decision-making. Since it is expected that patients with asymptomatic cerebrovascular diseases will increase, nurses need to establish the additional role to support the decision making of these patient.
