Impact of satisfaction, nurse-patient interactions and perceived benefits on health behaviors following a cardiac event.

Aims: To describe patient perceptions of quality and satisfaction with nursing care, nurse–patient interactions and barriers to and benefits of implementing a healthy lifestyle. Methods: A pretest–posttest cross-sectional correlational research design was used. Subjects were randomly selected between November 2001 and January 2002 from patients admitted to the National Institute of Cardiology in Budapest, Hungary. Participants completed 3 self-reported measures and a demographic survey, which assessed individual lifestyle behaviors (e.g. frequency of smoking, physical activity, stress and unhealthy dieting). Results: Satisfaction with nursing care and nurse–patient interactions influenced both perceived benefits and barriers. Patient satisfaction and perceived benefits at discharge were associated with more frequent exercising and less smoking. Among other factors, perceived benefits at discharge were predicted by attentive nurse behaviors toward patients and by patients’ ability to initiate discussion wi...