Table 2.

Examples from the qualitative content analysis process showing abstraction from condensed meaning units, categories, subthemes, and theme

Condensed meaning unit	Category	Subtheme	Theme
They don’t think of each person as having individual questions when giving information The examination in the clinic which found unexplained chest pain, gave me many questions, but he (cardiologist) would not listen to my history	Not being seen as a person	Experiencing lack of focus on individual problems
Didn’t have time to ask questions They said you could ask, but there was no room for it	Lack of time for asking questions
People don’t talk about it (unexplained chest pain) Strange that they don’t get (together) those who have the problems to talk with others	Alone with the problems		Experiencing unmet information needs
No pattern for when getting pain, that is why I do not know what to ask about	Uncertain about how to formulate questions	Experiencing unanswered questions
Not getting an answer why I feel this (chest pain) When cardiologist gives information, I do not ask Expect the doctors inform, based on their qualifications They found nothing wrong, but there is something, I feel pain Need an explanation, why I have chest pain	Still uncertain of the cause of pain
When problems with the heart, it makes me frightened of exercise The pain is so bad, I have to hold on to continue (exercising) The pain comes and goes (during exercise)	Uncertain about how to exercise in a safe way
The pain can come when I am eating I don’t know why the pain comes when I eat. It’s a mystery Wondering about if special food is causing pain I am careful with what I am eating, because I am unsure about the connection to chest pain	Uncertain if food is causing pain