Nurses' perception of patients' needs after myocardial infarction

Abstract

This small scale explorative study is undertaken to explore nurses' perceptions of patients' needs after myocardial infarction (:MI) and outline the role of the nurse in meeting patients' needs. A convenience sample of 16 registered nurses consisting of 10 males and 6 females with more than 1 year CCU experience from the Main Hospital Coronary Care Unit (CCU) and Regional Hospital CCU in Malta were selected. A self-administered, semi-structured questionnaire was developed and completed by all respondents achieving a 100% response rate. In 1996 314 patients were admitted or transferred to the Maltese CCU with a confirmed MI (Hospital Activity Analysis, Dept. of Health). Many of them do not recover the extent of their full potential because of physiological, psychological, and social complications of coronary heart disease (Boogard 1984). One of the most impressive gains in the management of patients with cardiovascular disease has been the innovative approach to rehabilitation which emphasizes the need to enhance patient function in physiological, psychological, social and educational spheres (Thompson 1996). Thus nurses' ultimate goal is a prompt return of the individual to an independent and normal role in society (Murray 1989). Findings revealed that nurses appeared aware of patients' needs after MI. They identified physical, psychological, social, and educational needs of the patients. In addition they identified organisation of care in terms of liason between the health care team to provide continuity and consistency in care. Moreover, most nurses identified their role of educating and communicating as a means of meeting patients' needs. In addition the psychological needs of patients were considered as an integral part of the role of the nurse. This could be due to the intensive medical care given in the CCU. Finally, a list of recommendations is given to enhance identification of patients' needs post MI and delivery of individualised care to meet patients’s needs.