Preferences for health care involvement, perceived control and surgical recovery: a prospective study.
In a sample (N = 75) of coronary bypass patients, we examined the manner in which preoperative perceptions of personal control over recovery, desires for behavioral involvement in health care, and desires for information about health care predicted recovery in the hospital. Results indicated that preoperative control beliefs and desires for health care involvement predicted independently several important indices of recovery. Specifically, patients who prior to their surgery expressed a greater desire for information tended to experience less surgical pain and more negative psychological reactions. Greater preferences for behavioral involvement were associated with greater pain behavior, more ambulation, and shorter hospital stays. Finally, greater perceived personal control over recovery was associated with a shorter hospital stay.
Mahler
H I
HI
Department of Psychology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla 92093.
Kulik
J A
JA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002140:California; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000523:psychology*; D030881:Disclosure; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000523:psychology; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000523:psychology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment