Improving care after heart transplantation: factors related to patients’ expectations toward medical staff

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study is to assess relation between psychological factors (coping style, level of distress, acceptance of illness) and expectations toward medical staff (for explanation and reassurance, for emotional support, and for investigation and treatment) among heart transplant (HTx) recipients. Method: Group of 108 patients after heart transplantation (age range 19-75; M=52,68; SD=14,35; 11(10,18%) F/ 97(89,82%)M; 1-24 years after HTx) were asked to fill out qestionnaires assessing coping style (CISS), acceptance of illness (AIS), prevalence of distress (GHQ-28) and expectation toward medical staff (PRF). Data were analyzed using stepwise regression statistic. Results: The most effective predictors of need for explanation and reassurance were: number of years since HTx (β=0,33) and level of depression (β=0,21) (p<0,05). Need of emotional support was explained by emotion-focused coping style (β=0,25; p<0,05). The best predictors of need for investigation and treatment were: number of years since HTx (β=0,35), level of overall distress (β=-0,40) and acceptance of illness (β=0,30) (p<0,05). Conclusions: Among heart transplant recipients number of years after HT and symptoms of distress and depression are related to particular expectations toward medical staff, concerning getting more information and reassurance. Patients who use more emotion-focused coping style needed more emotional support from medical team.