Experiences of informal caregivers taking care of heart surgery patients after discharge from hospital: a qualitative study

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Abstract Background/Introduction Open heart surgery is still the main treatment option for severe coronary and heart valve disease. After discharge from hospital, caregivers of heart surgery patients are given the main responsibility for care of their next of kin at home. There is a lack of studies on caregivers’ experiences with information from health care professionals regarding the discharge to home. Purpose To explore the informal caregivers' information and communication experiences with health care professionals following discharge to home after heart surgery Methods In-depth interviews using a semi-structured interview guide during videotelephony (Facetime), phone or face-to-face onsite interview. The settings were university hospitals in Norway and Denmark respectively and were carried out between November 2022 – January 2023. Data was analyzed in the NVivo software tool following Braun and Clarke`s 6-step thematic analysis process. Results Twelve informal caregivers (10 women, 2 men, mean age 65 years) were interviewed two to four weeks after the heart surgery patient had been discharged to home. Four main themes were identified: i) Lack of information ii) Insecurity, iii) Responsibility without knowledge and iv) Readmission to hospital is a challenge. Shortly after discharge the caregivers realized the consequences of lack of information and knowledge to facilitate for their next of kin` comfort, and how to manage if their symptoms worsened. Several caregivers were afraid, and especially if readmission to hospital due to serious complications were needed (Figure 1). Conclusion(s) Informal caregivers of heart surgery patients lack information from health care professionals, and communication with health care professionals at hospital discharge to gain knowledge, feel secured, and to be prepared for the responsibility for follow-up of their next of kin at home.Figure 1.Caregivers heart surgery pts.

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