What Do Patients Fear on Their First Out-of-Bed Mobilisation Following Open-Heart Surgery? A Phenomenological Exploration.

Background: Patients' early experiences with mobilisation are crucial for preventing muscle weakness, enhancing respiratory function, supporting the cardiovascular system and accelerating the recovery process by avoiding complications associated with immobility. However, nurses sometimes encounter difficulties due to patients' reluctance to mobilise.

Aim: To explore patients' experiences during their first out-of-bed mobilisation after open-heart surgery and to comprehend the underlying emotions associated with this experience.

Study design: Participants were recruited using purposeful sampling. The sample consisted of 16 patients recovering from open-heart surgery. Individual face-to-face interviews were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide. Data were collected between 22 October 2022 and 15 May 2023. Each session lasted about 15 min. Colaizzi's 7-step framework for descriptive phenomenological analysis was utilised for data analysis.

Results: Participants expressed fears of pain, dizziness and falls during out-of-bed mobilisation. Trust in nurses and their encouraging words were key factors in helping participants overcome their fears. Patients' positive mindsets and successful previous mobilisation experiences also contributed to their motivation for subsequent attempts.

Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of tailored nursing interventions addressing psychological and physical concerns. They are essential for enhancing the recovery and mobility of these patients. Future research should explore specific interventions and multidisciplinary approaches, as well as post-discharge interviews for deeper insights.

Relevance to clinical practice: The findings highlight the importance of tailored nursing interventions that address patients' psychological and physical concerns to enhance the process of post-surgical mobilisation.