Family-Centered Care after Acute Myocardial Infarction

Abstract

The experience of a cardiac event is a significant source of stress for both patients and their family members. The acute phase after myocardial infarction reflects a crisis for patients and family members as they attempt to reconcile the affect of the event and adapt to the uncertainties associated with hospitalization and the initial recovery process. This article reviews empirical research available to cardiovascular nurses that may guide family-centered care during the acute phase after myocardial infarction. Directions for practice and research focus on cardiovascular nursing interventions that address family needs after an acute myocardial infarction. The experience of an acute myocardial infarction is a source of stress for both patients and their family members and may be viewed as a crisis that significantly disrupts family functioning and dynamics. The trajectory of cardiovascular disease involves multiple adjustments by patients and family members as they attempt to reconcile the affect of the event and adapt to the uncertainties associated with the acute phase of illness. Efforts by patients and family members to manage the stressors associated with the acute phase of cardiovascular illness are often associated with alterations in physiologic and psychologic functioning.

Understanding patients and spouses experiences of patient education following a cardiac event and eliciting attitudes and preferences towards incorporating cardiopulmonary resuscitation training: A qualitative study

“…For some, the interview became quite emotional as they relived the cardiac event and shared their feelings and fears with their spouse and the interviewer. The range of the emotional themes identified in our analysis are consistent with other reports of this population (Astin, Closs, McLenachan, Hunter, & Priestley, ; Fors et al., ), including the use of strong language and metaphors such as “bombs” when describing their cardiac event (Fleury & Moore, ; Pattenden, Watt, Lewin, & Stanford, ; Thompson et al., ; Vosbergen et al., ).…”

“…Most participants in our study described having information deficits on discharge, persisting through to outpatient follow‐up. This is a long‐standing problem also described in previous studies (Fleury & Moore, ; Hanssen et al., ; Thompson et al., ; Valaker et al., ). Most recently Valaker et al.…”

Information sharing with rural family caregivers during care transitions of hip fracture patients

“…Family members who are thrust into a caregiving role as a result of a hip fracture or other sudden crisis event are likely to find themselves in roles filled with stress and uncertainty [12, 27]. Caregivers who had no prior experience either working in the system or being a patient in the system had difficulty knowing which questions to ask of health care providers and were unsure what to expect during the rehabilitation journey.…”

“…In order to facilitate better communication between caregivers and health care providers, building trusting relationships is essential. When health care providers are able to take time for mutual sharing of information with patients and their families, a trusting relationship is more likely to develop, leading to a less stressful and potentially more effective care experience [27]. …”

Thinking Big, Supporting Families and Enabling Coping: The Value of Social Work in Patient and Family Centered Health Care

“…Families have an important role in the medical care of their loved ones (McNeill, 2010) yet they potentially face significant challenges to their entire family system during times of family members' illness (Fleury & Moore, 1999;Holden, Harrison, & Johnson, 2002). The provision of holistic health care means including those within the patient's sphere and, as such, liaising with families should be seen as a critical part of the social workers' role.…”