0 - Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

BiopsychosociaJ Effects Among Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Patients 12
impacts (,ABG outcomes. The literature reports that those with lowered HRQL also show
!cnver coping response and increased depression (McCabe, Schneiderman, Field, &
Wellens. 2000). Some studies even indicate that patients who do not show improved
quality of life measure higher pain scores (Fraguas, et aI., 2(00).
In order to reduce these negative effects, research indicates that psychological
intervention has inherent value in reducing a patient's distress and suffering, leading to
improved HRQL. Interventions that fi.)cus on increasing a patient's social support and
coping in response to pain and depression may show improved health related quality of
life and better outcomes (S;:umon, Mikhail, Stanford, Zeilinski, & Pepper, 1998;
Rumsfelcl, Magdid, & 0 'Brien, 2001 ; Mittag et a1., 2001; Welke. et al., 2003).
The relationship of psychosocial factors in current research has been considered
only within the scope ofimpact on the individual. Fmiher research is needed to gather
infonnation on the mechanism of variables such as perceived pain, depression and HRQL
(Kmlsson, Berglin, Petttel'son, & Larsson, 1999; Shen, McCreary, & Meyers, 2004; Ben­
Zur, Rappaport, Ammar, & Uretzky, 2(00).
The importance qlmeasuring HQRL. As previously supported, lower mortality
and increased health care cost are contributing psychosocial factors among specific
coronary disease states (Goodman, 1998). In fact, recent reviews question methodology in
measuring HRQL and have been calling for continued designs that i()cus on the process
of these variables with respect to outcomes in coronary patients, in particular, CABG
. patients (Fitzpatrick, 2000; Bennet et a1., 2002; Juenger, et a1., 2002).
Patient care has changed in the last several years to become multidisciplinmy.
Patients recovering from CABG surgery are utilizing a nwnber of systems, a number of
professionals, ,md various treatment interventions. In assessing problems [Uld establishing