Why should acute trusts be interested in cardiac rehabilitation?
This questionnaire survey of 100 ex-coronary care unit (CCU) patients in the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital NHS Trust sought to determine patients' views (i.e. consumers' rather than professionals' views) regarding their perceived need for individual of group support following myocardial infarction, and whether the information received in hospital was adequate for their needs. A literature review of the evidence suggesting that cardiac rehabilitation is effective is included. Responses indicated that 42 of the 62 patients who responded (67.7%) felt that they would have benefited from a relaxation and/or support group, with 40 (69%) stating that they would have attended such a facility after discharge. The nature of the information offered by nursing staff while patients were in hospital was clearly that which was 'convenient' and 'unthreatening' for nurses to deliver. Only 35 respondents (56.4%) agreed that this information was adequate for their needs. These results indicate the preferences of our local consumers, whose views should be paramount in the contemporary NHS. There is a significant unmet demand for such services, which acute sector staff have the expertise to meet.
Wiliamson
G R
GR
Institute of Health Studies, University of Plymouth.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006779:Hospitals, Public; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction