Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To qualitatively explore patients' lived experiences and coping mechanisms following mitral valve replacement (MVR) at the National Cardiac Institute in Tanzania. DESIGN: A descriptive qualitative study using in-depth interviews and thematic analysis. SETTING: The study was conducted at the National Cardiac Institute, located in Dar es Salaam, the sole tertiary cardiac centre in Tanzania offering open-heart surgery. PARTICIPANTS: 17 participants were purposively sampled. Inclusion criteria were as follows: patients aged ≥18 years, had at least 28 days post-MVR, without chronic conditions (eg, diabetes and HIV) and attending postoperative cardiac clinics. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Semi-structured interviews conducted in May 2024 using an interviewer guide explored post-MVR challenges, daily life adjustments, patient-provider interactions and coping strategies. Thematic analysis was employed to identify key themes. RESULTS: Three primary themes emerged: (1) Quality of life after MVR, encompassing physical, social, economic and psychological challenges; (2) Quality of care after MVR, highlighting patient-provider interactions and access to services; and (3) Adapting to post-MVR life, including psychological adaptation and lifestyle modification. Participants reported improved quality of life through shared experiences and support. CONCLUSION: Patients experienced physical, socio-economic and psychological challenges post-MVR. However, quality of life improved through access to care, peer support and adaptive coping. Adaptation to life with an artificial valve is feasible with robust support systems, even in resource-limited settings.