Abstract
M.Cur.
Patients with coronary artery disease are forced as a result of physiological changes, to make life style adjustments, whether by means of diet, or by adjusting their activities. Only if the patient's attitude toward his illness is of such a nature that he himself takes responsibility for this state of health, life style adjustments can be effective. The objective of this study is to determine the life style adjustments of angioplasty patients, in order to establish guidelines with regard to a patients education programme for nursing professionals. Literature study has brought to light the risk factors which influence coronary artery disease, as well as the crucial need for life style adjustments, which are investigate and described in this study. From this, criteria were derived for use in the further phases of data compilation. The research model is based on retrospective ex-post-facto correlation, to compare the adjustment of patients after angioplasty, with their life style before the procedure. A contextual-descriptive record regarding education given to patients before discharge, is included in the design.
A descriptive survey was made of the structure and effectiveness of the educational programme of the chosen unit. Despite reveal results part of the fact that the analyses indicates that the majority of patients a positive tendency regarding life style adjustment, the expected are not achieved, because of a lack of sufficient knowledge on the
the patients. The major recommendation evolving from this study, is, that all
institutions where angioplasty is performed, should include an educating programme, which should be executed under supervision and which should from part of the rehabilitation process.