Exploring Aboriginal patients' experiences of cardiac care at a major metropolitan hospital in Melbourne

Objectives. The aim of the present study was to explore Aboriginal patients’ lived experiences of cardiac care at a major metropolitan hospital in Melbourne. Methods. The study was a qualitative study involving in-depth interviews with a purposive sample of 10 Aboriginal patients who had been treated in the cardiology unit at the study hospital during 2012–13. A phenomenological approach was used to analyse the data. Results. Eight themes emerged from the data, each concerning various aspects of participants’ experiences: ‘dislike of hospitals’, ‘system failures’, ‘engagement with hospital staff’, ‘experiences of racism’, ‘health literacy and information needs’, ‘self-identifying as Aboriginal’, ‘family involvement in care’ and ‘going home and difficulties adapting’. Most participants had positive experiences of the cardiac care, but hospitalisation was often challenging because of a sense of dislocation and disorientation. The stress of hospitalisation was greatly mediated by positive engagements with staff, but at times exacerbated by system failures or negative experiences. Conclusion. Cardiac crises are stressful and hospital stays were particularly disorienting for Aboriginal people dislocated from their home land and community.