Patient Journey Mapping in Patients Undergoing PCI for Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Qualitative Study

Abstract Objective This study explores the behaviors, emotions and pain points of patients undergoing PCI treatment for acute myocardial infarction throughout the entire process, in order to provide a basis for constructing an integrated nursing model that extends from acute treatment to full-cycle health management. Methods A descriptive qualitative design was used. Thirty-three patients with AMI treated with PCI were recruited from the cardiology department of a tertiary hospital in China by purposive sampling between October and December 2025. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, participatory observation, and medical record review at two time points (during hospitalization and 3 months after discharge), and were analyzed following Colaizzi's seven-step method. Journey maps were constructed for each phase of care. Results Along the timeline of the emergency warning phase, the catheterization laboratory phase, the in-hospital recovery phase, and the long-term rehabilitation phase, core themes were identified from three dimensions: behaviors, emotions, and pain points. These included neglect of early symptoms and rapid care-seeking, engagement in intraoperative communication, building a care support system, and self-managed rehabilitation, together with phase-specific emotional responses such as fear and illness uncertainty, loneliness during the procedure, postoperative role confusion, and post-traumatic stress responses. A visual patient journey map was developed on this basis. Conclusion The journey of patients undergoing PCI for AMI is a dynamic recovery process involving physiological restoration, psychological adjustment, and social reintegration. In the future, through full-cycle psychological interventions and digital intelligent platforms, we can achieve comprehensive, precise, and personalized care, reduce patients' anxiety levels, and improve their treatment experience and long-term rehabilitation outcomes.