The living experience of surviving out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and spiritual meaning making.

Surviving an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is perceived as a 'divine gift' that leads to a more conscious and meaningful life. Eight Greek-speaking survivors described their experiences through in-depth interviews, revealing five themes: the unexpected attack, experiencing a different world (transformation of body, time, emotion, and sensation), restoration of the re-embodied self, life transformation, and personal transformation. Despite physical and psychosocial challenges, participants reported a newly acquired deep appreciation for life and others. Construction of meaning and heightened spirituality appear central to reconstructing life after cardiac arrest. The themes align with transcultural components of near-death experiences.

Study at a glance

Abstract

To understand the meaning of surviving out of hospital cardiac arrest and its aftereffects among Greek-speaking survivors. Hermeneutical phenomenological method based on Martin Heidegger's philosophy. Eight Greek-speaking out of hospital cardiac arrest survivors were recruited using purposive sampling method. Data collection and analysis using the seven stages of hermeneutic analysis described by Diekelman. Data were collected through semi-structured personal interviews with open-ended questions. Analysis revealed five themes: 'The unexpected attack', 'Experiencing a different world: Transformation of Body, Time, Emotion and Sensation', 'Restoration of the re-embodied self', 'Life transformation' and 'Personal transformation'. The themes are commensurate with transcultural components of Near-Death Experiences. Surviving out of hospital cardiac arrest was perceived as a 'divine gift' and a chance to continue 'living in a more conscious and meaningful way'. Despite participants' physical and psychosocial challenges, the narratives highlighted a newly acquired deep appreciation for the joy of life, living and others. Construction of meaning and a heightened spirituality seem central in reconstructing life after out of hospital cardiac arrest survivors. Out of hospital cardiac arrest survivors reflected and described in-depth on their lived experiences of out of hospital cardiac arrest through a 60- to 90-min interview. In addition, the participants provided their feedback on the interpretation of the findings, confirmed the study findings, and ensured that the analysis reflected aspects of their individual experiences and were true to them.