The trajectory to diagnosis with pulmonary arterial hypertension: a qualitative study.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To investigate the patient's experience of the trajectory to receiving a diagnosis of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and inform the provision of care for this patient group.

Design

Qualitative study using in-depth one-to-one interviews and pictorial representations. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.

Setting

Participants were interviewed in their own homes across England.

Participants

30 patients with a diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension (18 participants were women, mean age 56 and range 26-80 years and time since diagnosis ranged from a few months to more than 12 years) participated.

Results

All participants, regardless of the time since diagnosis, vividly described the process from manifestation of symptoms to receiving a co

SUBMITTER: Armstrong I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3332243 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature