Barriers in the process of care transition from hospital to home in post-acute coronary syndrome: patients’ perspective

Introduction: Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients are at a higher long-term risk of recurrent cardiovascular events. The transition from hospital to home is a delicate time. Patients frequently have potentially unavoidable adverse events and hospital readmissions after being discharged from the hospital. This study aims to explore the barriers of patients’ transition experiences from hospital to homecare in post-acute coronary syndromes. Methods: An exploratory qualitative research design with a phenomenological approach was used in the study. Research data were collected using semi-structured interviews from April to Juli 2020. It was selected from 15 patients diagnosed with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) using the purposive sampling technique. The data were analyzed using thematic content analysis. Results: This study recruited 15 participants post-ACS. Four barriers were identified: (1) Psychological barriers: stress, fear, anxiety; (2) physical barriers: chest pain, dyspnea, palpitation; (3) lack of knowledge, including diet, coronary disease, return to work, medication, and heart attack intervention; and (4) low adherence to smoking cessation, daily activity, and medication adherence. Conclusion: At the time of discharge, there is a need for a new approach to communicating with the patients, educating patients and families, and preparing for ACS patients. The findings of this study will help nurses better understand the barriers of transitional care from the hospital to the home.