Predictors of uncertainty among postdischarge coronary artery bypass graft patients in Jordan

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Surgery
• Patient Recovery
• Health Psychology

Background:

• Uncertainty negatively affects patient adaptation and health outcomes.
• Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) patients commonly face uncertainty, symptom distress, and learning needs post-surgery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify predictors of uncertainty in patients recovering from CABG.
• To explore the relationship between uncertainty, symptom distress, and learning needs in CABG patients.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional correlational study involving 161 CABG patients one month post-discharge.
• Data collected via self-administered questionnaires including demographic information, uncertainty scale, symptom survey, and learning needs assessment.

Main Results:

• Patients reported moderate uncertainty, low symptom distress, and high learning needs.
• Uncertainty showed a significant correlation with learning needs and a lesser correlation with symptom distress.
• Hierarchical multiple regression identified gender, employment status, education level, and learning needs as significant predictors of uncertainty.

Conclusions:

• Symptom distress is not a direct or sole cause of uncertainty in CABG patients.
• Healthcare professionals should consider individual patient characteristics to proactively address and manage uncertainty.
• Addressing learning needs may be a crucial strategy in mitigating patient uncertainty post-CABG.