Early experiences of patients waiting to be accepted for CABG

Studies of patients on coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) waiting lists have revealed emotional disturbances (Underwood et al, 1993; Fitzsimons et al, 2000a). Patients may wait up to several months, following angiography, before being accepted on to the waiting list. To date, their needs, at this time, have been largely overlooked. A qualitative research design, using in-depth interviews, was used to identity the main concerns of six such patients. Thematic content analysis affirmed the existence of anxiety/fear, uncertainty and frustration among patients awaiting CABG surgery. These themes have been identified previously among patients on the CABG waiting list (Fitzsimons et al, 2000a). Other themes identified, unique to patients who had been referred for CABG surgery but not yet accepted on to the CABG waiting list, were confusion related to treatment plans, guilt, shock, avoidance and acceptance related to the need for surgery or their diagnosis. Consideration should therefore be given not only to providing additional support to patients actually on the waiting list but also to those patients who are in the process of being referred for CABG surgery.