Nursing in the development of modern treatment methods for patients with atrial fibrillation

Abstract

IntroductionAtrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most common supraventricular arrhythmias. Its prevalence in the general population over the last twenty years has increased significantly. The issue of the perception of nursing care has not yet been examined in detail. Objectives and methodsThe aim of this research was to assess how nursing behavior was perceived by nurses and patients with radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFA) for AF. The research was conducted with quantitative methods using a standardized questionnaire CBI-24 (Caring Behaviors Inventory). ResultsThe research sample consisted of two groups: patients with AF undergoing RFA (n=264) and cardiological nurses (n=92). The research was conducted between 2012 and 2014. On the basis of an overall evaluation of the perception of nursing behavior from the perspective of the patients and the nurses, there were no statistically significant differences (p=0.15). When evaluating the dimensions, i.e. “security”, “knowledge and skills”, “respectfulness” and “connectedness”, it was apparent that there was a statistically significant difference between the nurses and the patients perception of the dimensions of “knowledge and skills” (p=0.04) and “connectedness” (p=0.003), as the patients evaluated nursing care more positively than the nurses. ConclusionThe patients undergoing RFA AF evaluated the overall nursing behavior more positively than the nurses. The nurses perceived technical prowess more positively than the humanistic approach to patients. The patients evaluated the nurses’ performance more positively than the creation of a sense of security and safety. The areas of communication and education were identified as other problematic sections.