Psychological intervention providing information or emotional support reduced hospitalization by approximately 2 days compared to ordinary care (9.92 days) in surgical or coronary patients.
Meta-Analysis
Does psychological intervention improve recovery and reduce hospitalization days in surgical or coronary patients?
Providing psychological intervention such as information or emotional support can improve recovery and reduce hospital length of stay by approximately two days in surgical and coronary patients.
Effect estimate: -2 days
Absolute Event Rate: 7.92% vs 9.92%
A quantitative review of 34 controlled studies demonstrates that, on the average, surgical or coronary patients who are provided information or emotional support to help them master the medical crisis do better than patients who receive only ordinary care. A review of 13 studies that used hospital days post-surgery or post-heart attack as outcome indicators showed that on the average psychological intervention reduced hospitalization approximately two days below the control group's average of 9.92 days. Most of the interventions were modest and, in most studies, were not matched in any way to the needs of particular patients or their coping styles. Beyond the intrinsic value of offering humane and considerate care, the evidence is that psychological care can be cost-effective.
Mumford et al. (Mon,) conducted a meta-analysis in Surgical or coronary patients. Psychological intervention (information or emotional support) vs. Ordinary care was evaluated on Hospital days post-surgery or post-heart attack (-2 days). Psychological intervention providing information or emotional support reduced hospitalization by approximately 2 days compared to ordinary care (9.92 days) in surgical or coronary patients.