Older Cardiac Surgery Patients’ Experiences With a Pre-Surgery Nursing Consultation and the Influence on Their Self-Management: A Qualitative Study

Samenvatting

This article explores how older cardiac surgery patients experience a pre-surgery nursing consultation designed to support self‑management, known as Predocs. Through qualitative interviews, the study reveals that patients differ widely in how they prepare for surgery— some taking an active role, others avoiding detailed information. The consultation also influences emotional management, sometimes increasing fear through excessive detail, but often enhancing trust in the nurse. Overall, the findings highlight that Predocs does not fully align with individual coping styles, emphasizing the need for more tailored, patient‑centered approaches to effectively support self‑management before cardiac surgery.