title: Understanding the landscape: promoting health for rural individuals after tertiary level cardiac revascularization.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this pilot study was to describe the needs and experiences of rural individuals commuting to an urban center for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were analyzed from a "Patient Adherence and Satisfaction Survey" conducted by telephone as part of a quality improvement focus, and supplemented with in-depth semi-structured interviews with rural patients following PCI.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both urban and rural patients after PCI experienced few complications, had made some attempts to reduce tobacco usage, and were highly satisfied with explanations of their treatment and their overall treatment experience. Patients in rural settings were more likely to experience chest pain at least rarely following their surgery than people in urban settings (P < .05). Data on participation in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) showed no significant differences between urban and rural dwellers. Four themes emerged from the interviews: standards of care during treatment; transportation; local resources and community support; and lifestyle changes. Although patients were highly satisfied with standards of care during acute treatment, there were unmet needs in relation to transportation and lifestyle changes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Transitions between rural communities and urban centers and rural adaptations of secondary prevention programs require more attention in health service delivery. Further research is required to better understand potential variations in chest pain patterns between urban and rural residents.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada. Barb.pesut@ubc.ca
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pesut
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Laberge
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sawatzky
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mallinson
authors.forename: Kathy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rush
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001955:British Columbia; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D062645:Percutaneous Coronary Intervention; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011184:Postoperative Period; D012424:Rural Population; D062606:Tertiary Care Centers; D014505:Urban Population