TY - ABST

T1 - Exploring mind-body detachment following a cardiac event - through a Bourdieusian lens

AU - Blackwell, Joanna

AU - Henderson, Hannah

AU - Evans, Adam B.

AU - Allen-Collinson, Jacquelyn

AU - Bunn, Alison

PY - 2023

Y1 - 2023

N2 - BackgroundCardiac events can be serious and life-changing. Whilst the physical or bodily (corporeal) effects of a cardiac event are well-researched, little research investigates psychosocial impacts, especially when the two recovery trajectories differ.AimUsing findings from a study of socio-cultural influences on exercise and health along the cardiac patient journey, this paper explores corporeal and psychosocial recovery and experiences of mind-body detachment.MethodsEthnographic research, undertaken with people having experienced a cardiac event and their significant others (n=17), explored the cardiac patient journey through participant observation, repeated semi-structured interviews, and reflexive journaling. Bourdieu’s sociological theoretical framework provided a powerful lens through which to analyse data. Written informed consent was obtained from all research participants and from non-participants present during observations. Ethical approval was obtained from NHS Research Ethics Committee and Health Research Authority (Ref: 19/YH/0183). ResultsWhilst the NHS cardiac rehabilitation model includes exercise and psychosocial support, these sub-fields of health care are often only accessed by those whose habitus (dispositions, attitudes, values that shape perceptions and actions) and capital (different resources) support their participation. This is made more difficult by the habitus-shaking effect of ill-health; thus, recovery journeys can be highly complex. Notably, prevailing societal discourses posit ageing-as-decline, making serious ill-health particularly psychosocially difficult to reconcile.ConclusionPhysical and psychosocial recovery support are already core components of cardiac rehabilitation. However, it is important to acknowledge the complexity of support. This requires health professionals to discuss with patients personalised, socio-culturally informed, flexible approaches to exploring a multitude of interventions and agreeing care plans.

AB - BackgroundCardiac events can be serious and life-changing. Whilst the physical or bodily (corporeal) effects of a cardiac event are well-researched, little research investigates psychosocial impacts, especially when the two recovery trajectories differ.AimUsing findings from a study of socio-cultural influences on exercise and health along the cardiac patient journey, this paper explores corporeal and psychosocial recovery and experiences of mind-body detachment.MethodsEthnographic research, undertaken with people having experienced a cardiac event and their significant others (n=17), explored the cardiac patient journey through participant observation, repeated semi-structured interviews, and reflexive journaling. Bourdieu’s sociological theoretical framework provided a powerful lens through which to analyse data. Written informed consent was obtained from all research participants and from non-participants present during observations. Ethical approval was obtained from NHS Research Ethics Committee and Health Research Authority (Ref: 19/YH/0183). ResultsWhilst the NHS cardiac rehabilitation model includes exercise and psychosocial support, these sub-fields of health care are often only accessed by those whose habitus (dispositions, attitudes, values that shape perceptions and actions) and capital (different resources) support their participation. This is made more difficult by the habitus-shaking effect of ill-health; thus, recovery journeys can be highly complex. Notably, prevailing societal discourses posit ageing-as-decline, making serious ill-health particularly psychosocially difficult to reconcile.ConclusionPhysical and psychosocial recovery support are already core components of cardiac rehabilitation. However, it is important to acknowledge the complexity of support. This requires health professionals to discuss with patients personalised, socio-culturally informed, flexible approaches to exploring a multitude of interventions and agreeing care plans.

UR - https://www.bacpr.org/research-network/conference-abstract

M3 - Conference abstract for conference

T2 - British Association for Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation conference

Y2 - 5 October 2023 through 6 October 2023

ER -