Patient perceptions of the experience of electrophysiologic studies

This descriptive study explored perceptions, feelings and attitudes related to electrophysiologic studies (EPS). Structured one hour taped interviews were conducted with 11 participants and data was subjected to qualitative analysis. Powerlessness, anticipation and total exhaustion were the categories identified from the data. Overall, participants generally perceived their EPS as a negative experience and illustrated this with words like invasion, horrible, uncomfortable, etc. Anxiety was predominant throughout the entire experience. Nurses are in an ideal position to impact these negative perceptions by helping patients incorporate the threatening nature of EPS into a cognitive plan, thus reducing anxiety. Strategies and interventions to help patients cope with this aversive event are offered as well as suggestions for future research.