Table 2 Examples of meaning units, interpreted meanings and categories

”..that I didn’t know but found out was that it is senile decay and you can’t take it away like you do when you clean a coffee maker (everyone laughs) it becomes permanent and then they have to go inside the critical parts of the vessel and expand it…..Then it should work again. (Liza, Group 7)”

Descriptions of peripheral arterial disease

A need to understand the atherosclerotic process and the vascular treatment by using own words

Leading to a believe of how the atherosclerotic process and the vascular treatment function

Describing the known and unknown

”I didn’t believe that smoking was…..but the doctors and nurses told me that smoking was the greatest villain” (Judith Group 6).

The risk of smoking and it’s harmful effects

A wish to repress the risk of smoking and it’s harmful effects

A possible first step in considering giving up smoking

Conflicting feelings towards smoking

”But in some cases it would help if you could all calm down a little when you are talking to us. I have met doctors who say hmhmhm and you notice that they are stressed and then you have no further questions…..Once I met a doctor who was outside the door before he had finished speaking and I heard the last word from outside” (Frank, Group 2).

The experience of meeting health care professionals who suffer from stress

In an attempt not to disturb the patients is left with unanswered questions

A need to have face to face access to health care professionals

Consulting various sources of information

When I came home I didn‟t know what to do, so when a week had passed I thought – I have to go to the vascular clinic!, because I didn‟t know if I dared to take a bath, as I had plasters which I was afraid to remove myself. They were all bloody…‟(Marilyn, Group 1).

Descriptions of uncertainty when being back home again.

Lack of discharge information

Feelings of uncertainty and insecurity

Feeling relieved, yet uncertain