Recovery after coronary artery bypass grafting: patients' and health professionals' views of the hospital experience.
BACKGROUND
Increasing access to revascularisation procedures is a key aspect of a National Service Framework. Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is effective in relieving symptoms and reducing mortality but some patients do not report an improved quality of life or experience a good recovery.


OBJECTIVE
To describe the recovery trajectory after CABG and identify facilitators and barriers to recovery.


METHODS
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 patients who had previously undergone elective, isolated, first-time CABG and with 10 health professionals experienced in caring for these patients.


RESULTS
Thematic analysis identified the following themes: definition and timeline of recovery, preparation for surgery including information provision, attitude to surgery and confidence in staff, clinical factors and the in-patient experience. The key finding is the different recovery trajectory between patients with severe versus mild pre-operative symptoms; patients with few pre-CABG symptoms reported a much longer recovery time.


CONCLUSIONS
This study has provided insights into the barriers and facilitators to recovery after CABG and the processes involved. Findings have indicated areas where health professionals can intervene to aid patients' long-term recovery and thereby maximise the benefits of CABG.
Dunckley
Maria
M
Interdisciplinary Research Centre in Health, Faculty of Health and Life sciences, Coventry University, Priory Street, Coventry, UK. m.dunckley@coventry.ac.uk
Ellard
David
D
Quinn
Tom
T
Barlow
Julie
J
D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003289:Convalescence / Q000523:psychology; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010564:Personnel, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*; D024382:Professional Role; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors