The purpose of this research study was to examine the nature and scope of nutrition counseling and/or education available to cardiac patients and the role of the Registered Dietitian (RD) in Cardiac Rehab Phase II Programs. One hundred and fifty programs were surveyed in regards to their program and the programs elements in regards to nutrition topics. To our knowledge, this is the first study to systematically examine the nature and scope of nutrition counseling and/or education and the role of the Registered Dietitian in Cardiac Rehab Phase II Programs.The results indicated that almost 75% of the programs surveyed offered nutrition counseling and/or education, regardless of the region examined. Also the majority of the programs were identified to have a Registered Dietitian on staff, but less than half reported a Registered Dietitian employment as full-time. There were also significant differences in regards to nutrition education topics among the regions. The results also uncovered a discrepancy between the perceived importance of having a Registered Dietitian on staff and their role as the primary provider of nutrition counseling and/or education. / Department of Family and Consumer Sciences

published_or_final_version / Nursing Studies / Master / Master of Nursing

No description available.

The purpose of this study was to operationalize the coronary care patient's concept of hope. Analysis of 25 subjects' responses to an open interview format suggested that the sample's definition of hope revolved around five categories. These categories were: 1) theistic beliefs: 2) knowledge that they would not die, require surgery, or experience pain; 3) a wish not to die; 4) a wish to get better; and, 5) confidence that they would get better. Furthermore, significant differences in: 1) the sample's definition of hope: 2) the feelings associated with admission to the coronary care unit: and, 3) the factors that positively influenced the sample's level of hope were directly related to the subject's age.

No description available.

A descriptive design was utilized to identify the relationship between perceived cardiac rehabilitation at the time of discharge and perceived self-care three months later. Perceived cardiac rehabilitation was indicated by perceived quality of the cardiac rehabilitation program, perceived understanding of self-care, and satisfaction with hospital care. Perceived self-care was indicated by self-reported self-care related exercise, stress management, and medication. Fifty-three patients from a community hospital voluntarily participated in the study by responding to four questionnaires. A low positive relationship was found between (a) perceived quality of the cardiac rehabilitation program and self-reported stress management, (b) perceived understanding of self-care and self-reported exercise and stress management, and (c) satisfaction with hospital care and self-reported exercise and medication administration. These findings of post-hospital care are useful in the evaluation of the effectiveness of one nurse-coordinated cardiac rehabilitation program.

No description available.

Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) accounts for almost 20% of all deaths in the United States and is a leading cause of premature death and disability. The cost for this disease includes not only lost work years, but billions of health care dollars. Women account for almost half of the deaths from CHD and rates for the death of young women have risen 30% from 1988 to 1998. For the two-thirds of women who survive the initial coronary event, the risk of future events and disability increases. Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a multi-disciplinary program designed to reduce this risk. Unfortunately, only 25% of eligible women attend the program. Few studies have analyzed the factors that influence women's CR enrollment choices making a careful examination of these factors particularly relevant. The purpose of this study was to qualitatively explore the factors associated with a woman's decision to enroll, or not enroll, in CR from the perspectives of the patient and her support person. Twenty-five women (15 enrolled in CR, 10 not enrolled in CR) and 24 matched support persons (one person's supporters refused to participate) were interviewed using a semi-structured format from September, 1999 to January, 2001. Questions addressed the beliefs, affect, social referents, past experiences/habits, and facilitating/constraining conditions related to CR enrollment choices. Support persons were asked to respond to these questions from their perception of their loved one's attitudes, beliefs and health care seeking behaviors. Information from the interviews was transcribed verbatim, entered into NUD*IST, and coded using the components of the Expanded Theory of Reasoned Action (Triandis, 1977) as a framework. Descriptive analyses was done on basic demographic information, including perceptions of health and depression. There were specific factors identified in each of the primary categories of affect, beliefs, facilitating/constraining factors, and social referents and information. The key findings indicated that a lack of information on CR, feelings related to the perceived necessity of CR, transportation, finances, and accessibility were primary factors in enrollment behavior. Overall agreement between the cardiac female and her support person existed in most categories, except affect, where a minimum number of emotions was stated by the supporter. Cardiologists are a preferred source for CR information and they and primary care physicians need to increase the amount of positive support they provide to post-coronary event women. Emphasis on the necessity of attending CR as well as solutions for transportation and finances may increase enrollment. More research should be completed on the context of depression related to CR, importance of factors identified as having an impact on CR decision making, and the role of support persons in the enrollment choices of women. / Graduation date: 2002

Access to abstract permanently restricted to Ball State community only / Access to thesis permanently restricted to Ball State community only / School of Physical Education, Sport, and Exercise Science

published_or_final_version / Nursing Studies / Master / Master of Nursing in Advanced Practice