The role of nursing in a support group for heart transplantation recipients and their families.
Heart transplantation, an increasingly accepted intervention to prolong life, involves specific nursing interventions, not only in the area of patient physical care but also in areas of health teaching and psychosocial assessment. This study discusses data collected from a support group created in September 1984 for heart transplant recipients and their families. The major concerns of patients and families were identified and translated into implications for nursing care. Fourteen sessions were voice-recorded and analyzed, identifying common, recurring topics. A total of 24 potential candidates for transplantation and recipients, ranging in age from 19 to 52 years, and eight wives participated in at least one of the weekly sessions. The average attendance per session was eight patients and three wives. The major areas of concern related to; health maintenance, role-relationships, self perception/self concept, values/beliefs regarding health, and coping/stress tolerance. Preoperative patients had greater concern for health maintenance, whereas patients in the post-transplant period were more concerned about role-relationships, sexual function and activity-exercise patterns. Nursing implications in these areas included in-depth health teaching about procedures, medications and their side effects, self-care regarding signs and symptoms of infection or rejection, and dietary requirements and limitations. Other aspects involved psychosocial adjustments following discharge from the hospital.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D016027:Heart Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing; D012649:Self Concept; D012657:Self-Help Groups / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012803:Sick Role