PUBLICATIONS

@article{Code2024c,

title = {At the heart of resilience: Empowering women’s agency in navigating cardiovascular disease},

author = {J Code},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cjco.2023.12.013},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-02-01},

urldate = {2024-02-01},

journal = {CJCOpen},

volume = {6},

issue = {2},

pages = {473-484},

abstract = {Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death among women globally, emphasizing the need for a healthcare approach that empowers women through agency. This review focuses on the critical role of women’s agency in navigating CVD, integrating insights from various fields, including medicine, education, psychology, and sociology. It highlights the shift towards patient-centred care, where women are recognized as key decision-makers, a crucial change given the historical underemphasis on women’s health issues in medical practice. The diagnosis of CVD in women often involves emotional and psychological challenges. Unexpected diagnoses significantly disrupt perceived well-being, and prolonged diagnostic processes lead to professional skepticism and neglect of symptoms, resulting in delayed or inaccurate diagnoses and strained healthcare relationships. Effective management of CVD necessitates continuous self-management and a holistic approach to care, particularly for those with trauma who are at increased risk of cardiac incidents. Empowerment for women with CVD involves promoting self-confidence, autonomy, and active patient participation in healthcare. Implementing comprehensive care models is crucial for improving chronic CVD management, highlighting the need for healthcare systems that prioritize patient agency and empowerment. From the perspective of a woman with lived experience, this article examines the impact of CVD on women’s agency throughout the diagnostic journey. By highlighting women’s agency rather than particular behavioural changes, this review offers a comprehensive analysis that can shape policy, stimulate new research, and foster a more equitable, efficient, and empathetic healthcare system for women with CVD.},

keywords = {heart disease, heart failure, Heart Transplant, literature review, patient agency, Patient Experience, women's health},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Lannon2022,

title = {Patient and caregiver perspectives of the connection between home and the transplant journey},

author = {H Lannon and J Code and J Poole and C Simpson and V Bath},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrtlng.2022.10.008},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-01-01},

urldate = {2022-10-28},

journal = {Heart & Lunch},

volume = {57},

pages = {1-6},

abstract = {Background: For many heart failure patients, a heart transplant is required. Few hospitals in Canada perform heart transplants; thus, patients and caregivers must relocate to access transplant care. 

Objective: This study explores Canadian patients’ and caregivers’ experiences of to access transplant care and how patients and caregivers define home. The study's goal is to gain insights from the patient and caregiver experience and identify opportunities to improve the experience for those who relocate to access heart transplants. The research question was: How is the concept of home connected to the heart transplant journey? 

Methods: We conducted 18 interviews with advanced heart failure patients and caregivers, to explore patient and caregiver experiences of relocating to access transplant care. Patients and caregivers ranged in ages from 20′s to 60′s and had left their home of origin to move to a new location where medical care was available. 7 patients were male, 3 were female. All caregivers were female. 

Results: Patients and caregivers identified three supports during relocation: other patients and caregivers, medical team and family. Patients and caregivers defined home as friends, family, community, warmth, safety, belonging and comfort. 

Conclusion 

During relocation, patients and caregivers were supported by: other patients and caregivers, their medical team and family, and how these people made them feel: safe, warm, comfortable and that they belonged is how they defined home. The supports and definitions of home are connected; thus, a sense of home is inextricably linked to the transplant journey for patients and caregivers.},

keywords = {heart failure, Heart Transplant, Patient Experience},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}