Polikandrioti Maria
Background : During recent decades providing information to coronary disease patients has received a great of deal of attention by health professionals since it is showed to associated with optimal advantages. The aim of the present study was to review the literature about the factors that influence the provision of information to coronary disease patients. Method and material: The method οf this study included bibliography research from both the review and the research literature, mainly in the PubMed data base which referred to the provision of information to coronary disease patients. The research covered the period 1997-2011. Results : According to literature patients need information about their illness, its' care or its' complications. Moreover, they frequently need information about daily activities and practical or financial issues. Demographic or clinical factors are held responsible for adequate provision of information. Equal important factors are the following : source of information, discharge planning, address of patients' problems in daily living, psychological distress, health proffesionals’ perception of what patients need to know about their health, involvement of care-givers in the therapeutic regimen and effective communication between patients and health professionals. Information including assessment of patients’ learning needs and their readiness to learn is one of the key interventions in nursing process. Development of individualized cardiac information interventions during hospitalization and follow-up clinic visits is a matter of vital importance. Conclusions : It is widely accepted that providing information to cardiac patients is associated with many benefits since it promotes health care decision-making, encourages patient's participation in treatment process, enhances adherence to medical recommendations and prompts modification of health related behavior.
