The effect of early education on patient anxiety while waiting for elective cardiac catheterization.
BACKGROUND
A supply-demand mismatch with respect to cardiac catheterization (CATH) often results in patients experiencing waiting times that vary from a few weeks to several months. Long delays can impose both physical and psychological distress for patients.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a psychoeducational nursing intervention at the beginning of the waiting period on patient anxiety during the waiting time for elective CATH.


METHODS
This was a 2-group randomized controlled trial. Intervention patients received a nurse-delivered, detailed information/education session within 2 weeks of being placed on the waiting list for elective CATH. Control group patients received usual care.


RESULTS
The mean waiting time for CATH was 13.4+/-7.2 weeks, which did not differ between groups (P=0.509). Anxiety increased in both groups over the waiting time (P=0.028). Health-related quality of life deteriorated over the waiting time in both groups (P<0.05). On a visual analogue scale, there was a significant difference (P=0.002) between the intervention (4.0+/-2.7) and control (5.2+/-3.0) groups in self-reported anxiety 2 weeks prior to CATH.


CONCLUSIONS
The waiting period prior to elective CATH has a negative impact on patients' perceived anxiety and quality of life and a simple intervention, provided at the beginning of the waiting period, may positively affect the experience of waiting.
Harkness
Karen
K
Hamilton Health Sciences, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Morrow
Lydia
L
Smith
Kelly
K
Kiczula
Michele
M
Arthur
Heather M
HM
D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D001294:Attitude to Health; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009720:Nurse Clinicians / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D009864:Ontario; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013664:Teaching Materials / Q000592:standards; D014743:Videotape Recording / Q000592:standards; D014850:Waiting Lists