Transplantacja serca i przewlekła choroba kardiologiczna a poziom ujawnianej samotroski

Abstract

The aim of the research paper was to identify the relationship between a chronic cardiac disease and heart transplantation, and the level of patients’ self-care. The notion of self-care and its levels has been defined, and the circumstances in which it becomes activate specified. Research findings showed that there is no difference in the level of self-care between the group of patients with a chronic heart condition and the group of patients with a heart transplant, and between cardiac patients and healthy individuals. The difference showed in the higher global level of self-care in patients after heart transplantation compared to healthy individuals. The research revealed that a heart transplantation treatment has a direct effect on the scope of self-care in patients. It can therefore be concluded that in the context of changes following a cardiac transplantation, self-care is activated as a buffering mechanism, facilitating a better adaptation of a patient. Yet, it cannot be stated that self-care is a rational mechanism consciously used in order to cope with the situation.