Evaluating psychosocial nursing interventions for cardiac clients and their caregivers: a case study of the community rehabilitation network in Hong Kong.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this exploratory study was to describe the type and nature of psychosocial nursing interventions provided for cardiac clients in Hong Kong's Community Rehabilitation Centres (CRNs).


METHODS
Using a two-phase case study design data were collected from nurses, cardiac clients and their caregivers. The initial phase focused on identifying the types of psychosocial interventions provided. These data were obtained by observing nursing activities and the keeping of daily journals by the nurses. The second phase acquired data from structured telephone interviews, that reviewed clients' perceptions of the psychosocial interventions provided by the nurses and face-to-face interviews with clients and their caregivers.


RESULTS
These findings revealed that the nurses' interpersonal skills of information giving, social support and counselling were highly valued by cardiac clients and their caregivers. Both clients and caregivers outlined a concern about the lack of individual care and this was reflected in the focus of the CRN on group processes.


CONCLUSIONS
Recommendations for psychosocial cardiac care are made for public health nurses and nurses working in community settings.
Holroyd
E
E
Department of Nursing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Sha Tin, New Territories, Hong Kong. eholroyd@cuhk.edu.hk
Twinn
S
S
Shiu
A
A
D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003142:Communication; D003152:Community Health Nursing / Q000592:standards*; D019058:Community Networks; D005260:Female; D006126:Group Processes; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research / Q000379:methods*; D010347:Patient Care Planning / Q000592:standards; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers; D019145:Rehabilitation Nursing / Q000592:standards*; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires