Abstract
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitudes and practical experiences of cardiac surgery nurses regarding kinesiophobia management during early mobilisation. DESIGN: Using a descriptive qualitative research method, 21 cardiac surgery nurses participated in this study from October 2022 to January 2023, and the interview data were analysed using the Colaizzi 7-step analysis method. SETTING: Data were collected through in-depth face-to-face or online interviews in a tertiary hospital located in Nanjing, China. PARTICIPANTS: 21 cardiac surgery nurses were interviewed from October 2022 to January 2023. RESULTS: Two themes were summarised: knowledge, attitude and practice of nurses (high recognition and low participation; low knowledge reserve; low willingness); the promotion and essential elements of kinesiophobia management (efficient health education model; stable medical staff-family caregiver collaboration; simplified clinical protocol; specialist nursing team; clarify the multidisciplinary division of labour). CONCLUSION: The management of kinesiophobia in patients undergoing cardiac surgery is currently in the developmental phase. It is advisable to give due consideration to emotional support and cognitive training for medical staff. In addition, a workable management plan, consistent with clinical practice, should be formulated through multidisciplinary and medical staff-family caregiver collaboration to optimise patient outcomes.