Psychosocial issues facilitating recovery post-CABG surgery

<b>Background</b><br />The acute illness phase following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery is a difficult time for patients as they try to adjust to the physical and emotional changes brought about by surgery.<br /><b>Aims</b><br />To conduct an indepth examination of psychosocial issues experienced by patients post-CABG surgery and how patients manage these psychosocial issues during their recovery.<br /><b>Methods</b><br />A qualitative research approach, naturalistic inquiry, guided the study. Thirty patients were interviewed 4–5 weeks following discharge from hospital after CABG surgery and at 12 months after the initial interview.<br /><b>Results</b><br />esults found that adjusting to life after surgery was difficult, and patients experienced some form of physical pain or change. An unexpected finding was the extent to which many of the patients were attuned to their post-operative physical adjustments. Patients spoke of mental and emotional changes, and coming to terms with lifestyle adjustments.<br /><b>Conclusion</b><br />Study findings suggest the need for a re-examination of hospital discharge preparation and further provision and monitoring of home support services.<br />