title: [Patients' beliefs about their illness and adaptation after myocardial infarction].
abstract: Patients' beliefs about their illness can significantly influence the course of treatment, rehabilitation and further adaptation to life after myocardial infarction (MI). According to model of Leventhal five elements of the illness representation are distinguished: beliefs about etiology of illness, its symptoms and label, the personal consequences of the illness, how long it will last, and the extent to which the illness is amenable to control or cure. There is some evidence that on the basis of these elements, it is possible, to some extent, to predict the course of recovery process, effectiveness of the rehabilitation, and return to social and occupational functioning. The doctors play very important role in shaping of illness representation and modifying this beliefs which are harmful from the perspective of treatment goals. In the same time, there are some limitations and difficulties in practice use of knowledge arising from presented studies. First, the doctors very seldom recognize the patients' beliefs about treatment and medical recommendations' acceptance. Second, in health threat situations often come to defensive distortions of information in ways that confirm preferred beliefs, which can be demonstrated as a minimization or avoidance of real threat.
authors.affiliation: Zakład Psychologii Medycznej AM w Warszawie.
authors.forename: Dorota
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Włodarczyk
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000523:psychology*