Nurse-initiated telephone follow-up after acute myocardial infarction: a pilot study

To determine the receptivity of patients with acute myocardial infarction and their spouses to postdischarge follow-up telephone calls from a nurse, and to describe the content of nurse-patient/spouse telephone conversation during early convalescence at home.

Descriptive pilot study using qualitative methods.

University medical center and home.

Twenty-one male patients with acute myocardial infarction and their wives who agreed to participate in the study.

All subjects were receptive to telephone follow-up by cardiac nurse clinicians. From data analysis of telephone calls, five content themes emerged. These included (1) difficulty accepting changed health status, (2) reports of attempts at risk factor reduction, (3) concern for financial difficulties, (4) dealing with uncertainty, and (5) expression of appreciation for the nurse-initiated telephone call. Nurse investigators provided information and emotional support and made referrals.

Further research should be done to test the feasibility and effectiveness of nurse-initiated telephone follow-up after hospital discharge for acute myocardial infarction in reducing patient and spouse stress and increasing patient/spouse information about self-care regimens. The clinical trial should also determine whether telephone follow-up by nurse increases patient satisfaction with the health care delivery system.