Nurse-initiated telephone follow-up after acute myocardial infarction: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the receptivity of patients with acute myocardial infarction and their spouses to postdischarge follow-up telephone calls from a nurse, and to describe the content of nurse-patient/spouse telephone conversation during early convalescence at home.


METHODS
Descriptive pilot study using qualitative methods.


METHODS
University medical center and home.


METHODS
Twenty-one male patients with acute myocardial infarction and their wives who agreed to participate in the study.


RESULTS
All subjects were receptive to telephone follow-up by cardiac nurse clinicians. From data analysis of telephone calls, five content themes emerged. These included (1) difficulty accepting changed health status, (2) reports of attempts at risk factor reduction, (3) concern for financial difficulties, (4) dealing with uncertainty, and (5) expression of appreciation for the nurse-initiated telephone call. Nurse investigators provided information and emotional support and made referrals.


CONCLUSIONS
Further research should be done to test the feasibility and effectiveness of nurse-initiated telephone follow-up after hospital discharge for acute myocardial infarction in reducing patient and spouse stress and increasing patient/spouse information about self-care regimens. The clinical trial should also determine whether telephone follow-up by nurse increases patient satisfaction with the health care delivery system.
Keeling
A W
AW
University of Virginia Health Sciences Center, Charlottesville 22903-3395, USA.
Dennison
P D
PD
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D009720:Nurse Clinicians; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012307:Risk Factors; D012944:Social Support; D013689:Telephone