Application of relational tool to support acute cardiac patients’ emotional recovery: analysis of effects during acute and follow-up care

ABSTRACT

After an acute cardiac event, many patients experience emotional disturbance. This is a normal response to the event and to hospitalization, but, if not treated with emotive and social support, the symptoms can evolve, resulting in emotional and behavioural disorders. The aim of the study was to evaluate the outcome of the use of a new nursing relational tool, designed to support patients’ emotional recovery. The data are the result of semi-structured narrative interviews, conducted in the intensive cardio care unit of the Mauriziano hospital of Turin and by telephone, during March and August of 2017. The research sample involved 26 patients, divided into control and intervention groups. Exclusion criteria were: under age of 18, cognitive impairment or dementia, difficulty with comprehension and expression in Italian, and previous acute cardiac events. The interviews have shown that an emotional management tool improves the patient’s recovery, the quality of information received, and the quality of the patient’s everyday life after the event. The use of a relational tool by nursing staff improves the patient’s emotional management and increases the knowledge required to ensure a good quality of life. Continuous use also improves the confidence of health professionals in managing these emotional conditions.

KEYWORDS:

• Emotional recovery
• relational tool
• coronary heart disease
• anxiety; quality of life

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Daniela Berardo

Daniela Berardo, Graduated as nurse from Department of Public Health and Pediatrics Sciences, University of Turin, Italy in 2017. She is working as nurse in the Emergency Department of a public health service.

Maria Valentina Mussa

Maria Valentina Mussa, Graduated in 2012 from Department of Public Health and Pediatrics Sciences, University of Turin, Italy with a Master of Nursing and Obstetric Sciences. Worked as a nurse from 1993 to 2002 in Public Hospital. Graduated in 2005 from University of Turin in Learning Sciences, with a Master degree of Educational Sciences in 2008. Currently working as Professor and Supervisor Clinical Tutor in Department of Public Health and Pediatrics Sciences, University of Turin, Italy.