Adults with congenital heart disease: psychological needs and treatment preferences.
OBJECTIVE
Approximately one-third of adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) patients have mood or anxiety disorders, the majority of which go untreated. The extent to which this group of patients is interested in psychological services is, however, unknown. This study investigated the perceived psychological needs of patients and their mental health treatment preferences.


METHODS
Participants completed an anonymous survey with items regarding mental health treatment history, preferences for future treatment, Internet use, and interest in peer support.


RESULTS
A total of 155 ACHD patients completed study questionnaires (mean age = 39 years; 50% female). Forty percent of patients reported previous mental health treatment. Some 51% of patients (73/142) indicated significant interest in at least 1 of 7 defined areas of psychological treatment (managing mood and/or anxiety, coping with a cardiac condition, stress management, anger management, relationship difficulties, substance use, and smoking cessation). Patients were most interested in stress management and coping with heart disease; one-third of patients (48/141 and 47/141, respectively) expressed high interest in these 2 topics. There was a consistent preference for psychological treatment to be provided over the Internet vs. in person or over the telephone; 94% of the patients had Internet access. In total, 35% of patients (51/145) were interested in receiving peer support.


CONCLUSIONS
It is not only health providers who recognize the importance of psychological care for ACHD patients. As a group, patients are also interested in psychological treatment and peer support. Programs are encouraged to provide psychological services and maximize opportunities for interactions with other patients.
Kovacs
Adrienne H
AH
Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, University Health Network/Toronto General Hospital, University of Toronto-Toronto Congenital Cardiac Centre for Adults, Toronto, ON, Canada. adrienne.kovacs@uhn.on.ca
Bendell
Katherine L
KL
Colman
Jack
J
Harrison
Jeanine L
JL
Oechslin
Erwin
E
Silversides
Candice
C
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D000786:Anger; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D003226:Congresses as Topic; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010379:Peer Group; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000523:psychology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000628:therapy; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult