A review of the information needs of patients with acute coronary syndromes.
The individual nature of information required by hospitalized patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) has been of concern to nurses for over 20 years. An information need is not necessarily a gap in knowledge that can be satisfied by education. It represents what the patient wants to know from the professional in order to cope effectively with the current situation. Through analysis of available literature, it seems that patients appear to prioritize information that is pertinent to survival, such as symptom management, rather than broader lifestyle issues such as exercise and diet. Although information needs are individual and subjective to each patient, trends emerge within patient groups. Information needs of patients with CHD in coronary care unit and ward setting occur across eight or more common areas. Through patient-centred communication, patients' f preferences for information in these topics can be derived and used as the basis for information delivery. Individual idiosyncratic needs can also be noted and addressed.
School of Nursing and Midwifery Studies, 24 Dolier Street, Dublin 2, Ireland. timminsf@tcd.ie
Fiona
F
Timmins
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003625:Data Collection; D015444:Exercise; D006291:Health Policy; D006808:Humanism; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D017145:Models, Educational; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000458:organization & administration*; D018802:Patient-Centered Care; D011209:Power, Psychological; D011588:Psychology, Educational; D012107:Research Design; D012648:Self Care; D013664:Teaching Materials; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology