The effectiveness of an accessibility-enhanced multimedia informational educational programme in reducing anxiety and increasing satisfaction of patients undergoing cardiac catheterisation.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of an accessibility-enhanced multimedia informational educational programme in reducing anxiety and increasing satisfaction with the information and materials received by patients undergoing cardiac catheterisation. BACKGROUND: Cardiac catheterisation is one of the most anxiety-provoking invasive procedures for patients. However, informational education using multimedia to inform patients undergoing cardiac catheterisation has not been extensively explored. DESIGN: A randomised experimental design with three-cohort prospective comparisons. METHODS: In total, 123 consecutive patients were randomly assigned to one of three groups: regular education; (group 1), accessibility-enhanced multimedia informational education (group 2) and instructional digital videodisc education (group 3). Anxiety was measured with Spielberger's State Anxiety Inventory, which was administered at four time intervals: before education (T0), immediately after education (T1), before cardiac catheterisation (T2) and one day after cardiac catheterisation (T3). A satisfaction questionnaire was administrated one day after cardiac catheterisation. Data were collected from May 2009-September 2010 and analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-squared tests, one-way analysis of variance, Scheffe's post hoc test and generalised estimating equations. RESULTS: All patients experienced moderate anxiety at T0 to low anxiety at T3. Accessibility-enhanced multimedia informational education patients had significantly lower anxiety levels and felt the most satisfied with the information and materials received compared with patients in groups 1 and 3. A statistically significant difference in anxiety levels was only found at T2 among the three groups (p = 0·004). CONCLUSIONS: The findings demonstrate that the accessibility-enhanced multimedia informational education was the most effective informational educational module for informing patients about their upcoming cardiac catheterisation, to reduce anxiety and improve satisfaction with the information and materials received compared with the regular education and instructional digital videodisc education. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: As the accessibility-enhanced multimedia informational education reduced patient anxiety and improved satisfaction with the information and materials received, it can be adapted to complement patient education in future regular cardiac care.

Racial differences in cardiac catheterization as a function of patients' beliefs.

OBJECTIVES: We examined racial differences in cardiac catheterization rates and reviewed whether patients' beliefs or other variables were associated with observed disparities. METHODS: We did a prospective observational cohort study of 1045 White and African American patients at 5 Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers whose nuclear imaging studies indicated reversible cardiac ischemia. RESULTS: There were few demographic differences between White and African American patients in our sample. African Americans were less likely than Whites to undergo cardiac catheterization. African Americans were more likely than Whites to indicate a strong reliance on religion and to report racial and social class discrimination and were less likely to indicate a generalized trust in people but did not differ from White patients on numerous other attitudes about health and health care. Neither sociodemographic or clinical characteristics nor patients' beliefs explained the observed disparities, but physicians' assessments of the procedure's importance and patients' likelihood of coronary disease seemed to account for differences not otherwise explained. CONCLUSIONS: Patients' preferences are not the likely source of racial disparities in the use of cardiac catheterization among veterans using VA care, but physicians' assessments warrant further attention.

Specially selected music in the cardiac laboratory-an important tool for improvement of the wellbeing of patients.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of a specially selected music sound environment on the feeling of wellbeing of adult, lightly sedated patients in a Cardiac Catheter Laboratory undergoing invasive procedures. METHOD: Patients (n=193) were randomly assigned to either a music group, who listened to music during the procedure (n=99) or to a non-music group (n=94). Immediately after the procedure all patients were interviewed by a questionnaire about their opinion of the sound environment in the room and about their feeling of wellbeing. RESULTS: In the music group 91% of the patients defined the sound environment as very pleasant/pleasant - compared to 56% in the non-music group. The number of patients with 'no opinion' on the sound environment was lower in the music group than in the non-music group (8% vs. 42%). In the non-music group only 34% of the patients would have liked to listen to music, if possible, whereas 82% of the patients in the music group were very pleased/pleased with the music. Both groups noticed basic sounds and noises with similar frequencies. In the music group 62% of the patients noticed the music spontaneously. Sixty-eight patients (68%) reported that music was of major positive importance to their feeling of wellbeing. These patients expressed that music made them feel less tense, more relaxed and safe. The results were not related to age, sex or procedure. CONCLUSION: Specially selected music had a positive effect on the wellbeing of patients and their opinion on the sound environment during invasive cardiac procedures. Based on the negative expectations and the positive experience of the patients with regard to music environment, we suggest that specially selected music should be a part of the sound environment in the Cardiac Catheter Laboratory.

An exploration of the relationships between uncertainty, psychological distress and type of coping strategy among Chinese men after cardiac catheterization.

The experience of cardiac catheterization (CC) has included feelings of uncertainty, stress, fear and anxiety in many patients. However, conflicting findings from previous research have been reported. Chinese patients who undergo CC may experience psychological distress in a different way to other cultures as a result of traditional beliefs. Moreover, little research examining the impact of CC among Hong Kong Chinese has been carried out. Therefore, the aim of the study was to explore relationships between uncertainty, psychological distress and coping strategy in Chinese men after CC, using Mishel's model of uncertainty in illness as a framework. A convenience sample of 27 men hospitalized for cardiac catheterization participated in this study using a descriptive, correlational research design. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee of the Medical Faculty at the Chinese University of Hong Kong and from the Executive Committee of the hospital. Participation was on a voluntary basis with patient confidentiality assured. Self-report questionnaires included Chinese versions of Mishel's Uncertainty in Illness Scale (MUIS), the Profile of Mood States (POMS), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and the Chinese Coping Scale (CCS) for data collection. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences. High mean scores for uncertainty (mean=101.4, SD=11.49) and variables measuring psychological distress (mood disturbance mean=36.6, SD=33.6, state-anxiety mean=39.1, SD=8.95, trait-anxiety mean=43.7, SD=8.1) among these participants suggest that Hong Kong Chinese men experience uncertainty and psychological distress when undergoing cardiac catheterization. Strong relationships between uncertainty and mood disturbance (r=0.57, P=0.01), trait-anxiety and mood disturbance (r=0.65, P=0.01) and state-anxiety and external coping strategies (r=0.50, P=0.05) were found. These findings suggest that relationships between uncertainty, psychological distress and external coping strategies exist in Chinese men hospitalized for cardiac catheterization. Moreover, these findings may help nurses' design culturally specific interventions for their patients.