title: A qualitative study of the information needs of acute myocardial infarction patients, and their preferences for follow-up contact after discharge.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Several studies have claimed that patients have unmet information needs after discharge following acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Our overall goal is to develop a post-discharge nursing intervention program to provide patients with appropriate information and support in contexts where existing follow-up services are poorly developed.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To explore the information needs of inpatients with AMI and their preferences for follow-up contact after discharge from hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fourteen AMI patients aged 42-69 years participated in one of three focus groups, held between 3 and 5 months after their discharge.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings are grouped into three themes corresponding to the major topics in the interview guide: the hospital stay, coming home, and patients' follow-up preferences. The data support the findings of previous studies that there is a systemic failure to meet patients' in-hospital and post-discharge information needs. Most importantly, our participants' follow-up preferences favoured open telephone lines and telephone follow-up. The results of this study provide some of the knowledge that is necessary to improve patient information and support following AMI.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Clinical Research, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway. tove.aminda.hanssen@helse-bergen.no
authors.forename: Tove Aminda
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Hanssen
authors.forename: Jan Erik
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Nordrehaug
authors.forename: Berit Rokne
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Hanestad
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000359:Aftercare / Q000523:psychology / Q000592:standards*; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002755:Choice Behavior; D003289:Convalescence / Q000523:psychology; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D008132:Loneliness; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D009664:Norway; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000592:standards*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000592:standards*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013689:Telephone; D035501:Uncertainty