The effect of nurse-led educational counseling on anxiety and surgical decision-making in patients recommended for CABG after coronary angiography

This study aimed to determine the effect of nurses’ educational patient counseling on anxiety levels and surgical decision-making in patients who were recommended for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) after coronary angiography (CA). A quasi-experimental design was conducted in the Intensive Care Unit of Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University Health Practice and Research Hospital among patients who underwent CA and were recommended for CABG surgery. A total of 80 patients were included in the study, comprising 40 patients in the control group (CG) and 40 patients in the experimental group (EG). The researcher provided structured education about CABG surgery to patients in the EG, while patients in the CG continued to receive routine clinical care. Data were collected using the Patient Identification Form and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). The groups were similar in terms of descriptive characteristics, except for age (p>0.05). While 77.5% of patients in the CG and 100% of patients in the EG knew CA, 70.0% of patients in the EG and only 3.2% of patients in the CG reported receiving information solely from nurses. Regarding CABG surgery, 100.0% of patients in the EG and 30.0% of patients in the CG reported knowing the procedure. Additionally, 72.5% of patients in the EG and 8.3% of patients in the CG stated that they received information exclusively from nurses (p<0.05). Furthermore, 70.0% of patients in the EG and 10.0% of patients in the CG reported that they found the information provided to be sufficient (p <0.05). After CA, 62.5% of patients in the EG and 47.5% of patients in the CG accepted CABG surgery. Among those who accepted CABG surgery, 68.0% of patients in the EG and 57.9% of patients in the CG stated that the information they received influenced their decision (p>0.05). According to STAI-I scores, moderate state anxiety was observed in 62.5% of patients in the EG and 57.5% of patients in the CG (p<0.05). In conclusion, providing education about CABG surgery to patients in the experimental group who were recommended for CABG after coronary angiography positively influenced patients’ surgical decision-making and anxiety levels.