Coronary artery bypass grafting: patients' and health professionals' views of recovery after hospital discharge.
BACKGROUND
Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is effective in relieving symptoms and reducing mortality but some patients report no improvement or a decline in quality of life and hence do not experience a good recovery after surgery. Little published research has explored patients' and particularly health professionals' views on barriers and facilitators to recovery or the processes by which these factors affect recovery.


OBJECTIVE
To identify post-discharge facilitators and barriers to recovery after CABG.


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: person characteristics, including the impact on recovery of anxiety, depression, optimism and determination; rehabilitation classes; social support; and the effect of surgery. Findings indicate a complex relationship between the various barriers and facilitators to recovery and explore possible processes by which these influences on recovery operate.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings have indicated areas where health professionals can intervene to aid patients' long-term recovery, and thereby maximise the benefits of CABG, by providing information, support and reassurance particularly to patients who appear anxious and/or depressed.
Dunckley
Maria
M
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Coventry University, Priory Street, Coventry, CV1 5FB, United Kingdom. mariadunckley@hotmail.co.uk
Ellard
David
D
Quinn
Tom
T
Barlow
Julie
J
D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010351:Patient Discharge; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010564:Personnel, Hospital / Q000523:psychology; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires