The objective of this research is to examine the recovery process in the elderly after coronary artery bypass surgery. Previous research on adult recovery following cardiac surgery, reports that recovery was influenced by fatigue and for the most part, functional ability did not improve. The little research that specifically addresses the recovery process in the elderly found that recovery was protracted with fatigue persisting longer. The trend of decreasing inpatient length of stay has placed recovery from surgery as an experience that begins with discharge from the hospital. During this post discharge recovery process, the patient lacks accessibility to health care professionals for clarifying cures and seeking information. Therfore the nurse needs to provide anticipatory guidance for the recovery process before discharge from the acute care hospital. Due largely to the limited research on the elderly, the nurse lacks the knowledge of recovery in the elderly. This is a barrier to the designing of effective nursing strategies that would provide valid guidance to foster the positive health changes that can occur following myocardial revascularization.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR)
Type
Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F31)
Project #
1F31NR006739-01
Application #
3027795
Study Section
National Institute of Nursing Research Initial Review Group (NRRC)
Project Start
1992-07-28
Project End
Budget Start
1992-03-01
Budget End
1993-02-28
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
1992
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Boston College
Department
Type
Schools of Nursing
DUNS #
045896339
City
Chestnut Hill
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02467