Patient-perceived quality of life after coronary bypass surgery -: Experienced problems and reactions to supportive care one year after the operation

In an interview conducted one year after coronary bypass surgery (CABG), 115 patients (92 males, 23 females) were asked to discuss their present quality of life, problems related to the operation and their reactions to the supportive care following the operation. The main purpose of this study was to assess whether the patients' own presentation of these questions revealed information not elucidated through a standard questionnaire which included the Nottingham Health Profile and other questions on physical, emotional and social well-being. About one quarter of the interviewed patients expressed dissatisfaction concerning their present quality of life, information which corresponded well with the findings in the questionnaires. Reported limitation in physical activity did not, however, match exercise test findings. The interviews alone revealed additional information concerning well-being. Most important were problems with wound healing and difficulties describing and interpreting pain and other discomfort in the thoracic area. Several patients also expressed dissatisfaction with the postoperative supportive care. We conclude that there is a need for a complementary approach to estimate quality of life, and that this could be included in an extended nursing care program designed to meet the varying needs of patients after CABG.