EDUCATIONAL AND SUPPORT NEEDS OF PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES AWAITINGCARDIAC-SURGERY

Citation
P. Lindsay et al., EDUCATIONAL AND SUPPORT NEEDS OF PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES AWAITINGCARDIAC-SURGERY, Heart & lung, 26(6), 1997, pp. 458-465
Citations number
24
Journal title
ISSN journal
01479563
Volume
26
Issue
6
Year of publication
1997
Pages
458 - 465
Database
ISI
SICI code
0147-9563(1997)26:6<458:EASNOP>2.0.ZU;2-B
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To identify and explore the learning and support needs of p atients and families during the waiting period before cardiac surgery. DESIGN: Prospective, cross-sectional cohort survey design. SETTING: U niversity-affiliated tertiary cardiovascular care center in mideastern Canada. SUBJECTS: One hundred forty-seven patients currently on the c ardiac surgery waiting list, and 125 family members of these patients. OUTCOME MEASURES: Needs Inventory for Patients who Wait. INTERVENTION : All patients were sent a survey for themselves and one for a family member that included: a demographic profile, subjective questionnaire, and the Needs Inventory for Patients who Wait, The survey was to be c ompleted and returned to the investigators. RESULTS: The return rates were 77% (113) for patients, and 70% (87) for family members. For pati ents and their family members, item rankings were highly correlated fo r areas in which they wanted information (r = 0.84), and for areas tha t caused them the most concern (r = 0.91). Family members were also co ncerned about caring for the patient before and after surgery. The num ber of weeks on the waiting list (< 1 month to > 6 months) did not cha nge the concerns of patients and family. CONCLUSIONS: This survey iden tifies some of the educational and support needs of patients undergoin g cardiac surgery and their family members. Patients are concerned abo ut their health and survival until the surgical procedure, as well as about the success of the procedure. Families share patients' concerns and have an additional concern regarding how to support the patient du ring the perioperative stage. The needs identified by patients and the ir families in this survey were found to be stable over time, and with in the realm of nursing practice to address.