A mail questionnaire was completed by 171 patients two to 20 months after undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). The post-CABG period was characterized by fewer working hours, a higher level of physical exercise, a reduction in smoking, and more appropriate nutritional habits, compared with the preoperation period. At the same time, the anxiety level of post-CABG patients was higher than that measured in a community sample. Post-CABG high psychological distress (anxiety and mood states) and low functional capacity were associated with high levels of pessimism and ineffective emotion-focused coping strategies. These results may be used by social workers in devising psychological interventions aimed at improving post-CABG patients' quality of life and bolstering their coping strategies.

Afollow-up study was conducted to assess the survival of 168 patients who participated in 1995 in a survey study two to twenty months after undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). The patients' survival was examined over a seven-year period following the initial study. The surviving patients did not differ from those who died during the seven-year follow-up period on mean age, gender, family status, or education levels. Active lifestyle, pessimism, and self-reported functional capacity predicted survival at the seven-year end point. The conclusion is that assessments of patients' levels of lifestyle and pessimism may be used in detecting those who are at a greater risk of dying following CABG.

An intervention program for families whose loved ones have died during hospitalization is presented. Collaboration and cooperation among all members of the professional team-doctor, nurse, and medical social worker-provide a systematic primary prevention approach for the surviving family members and helps prevent pathological grief.A model for such multi-disciplinary care-giving has been operating effectively for a number of years within the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery of Carmel Hospital, Haifa, Israel. Emotional and practical assistance, as well as referrals to community resources, is provided by the team from its first admission meeting with the families of patients. Cases are presented to illustrate the main points of the program.