Patient control preferences prior to discharge after cardiac surgery

Abstract Background The impact of patient preferences and participation in the acute recovery period prior to discharge after cardiac surgery is not well understood. Although there is a plethora of literature describing pre and post discharge interventions to support patients’ recovery there is minimal evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of specific interventions that optimise recovery or patient preferences for participation in decision making related to this period of transition from hospital to home. Purpose The aim of this study was to explore patient preferences for participation in discharge planning. Methods This study took place in a major metropolitan hospital in Victoria, Australia with a population base of over 1 million people that provides over 100,000 episodes of care and approximately 850 cardiothoracic procedures annually. We recruited consecutive adult patients, able to understand and speak English who were being discharged home after cardiac surgery. Prior to discharge, a Registered Nurse conducted a semi-structured interview following patient consent where patients were asked to complete the 5 item Control Preferences Scale (CPS) in relation to 3 discharge planning questions. With each question patients were asked to rate their preferred and actual role in the decision-making process. The CPS has 5 cards each portraying a role in treatment decision making; active (1-2), collaborative (3) or passive (4-5) participation to determine what level of control patients’ desire in relation to their care. Results From 196 patients undergoing cardiac surgery 63 (32.1%) were eligible and agreed to participate. When asked about making plans for discharge 9 (14.3%) patients’ preference was to have an active role in this process, 25 (39.7%) preferred a collaborative approach and 29 (46.1%) a passive approach. Patients perceived their actual role was active (n = 10, 15.9%), collaborative (n = 17, 27.0%) or passive (n = 36, 57.1%). When asked about deciding when to go home 9 (14.3%) patients’ preference was to have an active role in this process, 18 (28.6%) preferred a collaborative approach and 36 (57.1%) preferred a passive approach. Patients perceived their actual role was active (n = 8, 12.7%), collaborative (n = 13, 20.6%) or passive (n = 42, 66.6%). When asked about their preferred role in deciding where they go when discharged 21 (33.4%) patients’ preference was to have an active role in this process, 19 (30.2%) preferred a collaborative approach and 23 (36.5%) a passive approach. Patients perceived their actual role was passive (n = 24, 38.1%), collaborative (n = 16, 25.4%) or passive (n = 23, 36.5%). Conclusion Patient preferences for control were congruous with their perceived experience of involvement in decision making which indicates patients’ preference for control is taken into account by clinicians managing the discharge planning process in this setting.