Perception of self in the intensive care unit after cardiac surgery among adult Taiwanese and American-Chinese patients Original Research Article

A descriptive qualitative design was used to compare Taiwanese and American-Chinese patientsʹ perceptions of self during their ICU recovery transition from cardiac surgery. A convenience sample consisting of 35 adult patients having cardiac surgery was obtained from two study sites in Taiwan (N = 30) and the USA (N = 5). Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews and analyzed by qualitative content analysis. Patientsʹ perceptions of self in the ICU included global sensations of abnormality, ‘Tong-Kou’ (Chinese, meaning physiologically and/or psychologically painful), and ‘Chin-Son’ (Chinese, meaning physiologically and/or psychologically relaxed). The specific perceptions were the physical, psychological, cognitive, social, and spiritual self. The nature and conceptual definition of Chinese patientsʹ perceptions of self, as well as the impact of these perceptions on their recovery in the ICU were further delineated.