Social independence of adult congenital heart disease patients in Japan.
Pediatr Int
; 59(6): 675-681, 2017 Jun.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-28199782
BACKGROUND: As treatment outcomes for congenital heart disease (CHD) have improved, the social independence of adult CHD patients has become a key goal. The aims of this study were therefore to (i) determine the relationship between social independence and psychological profile, and (ii) identify patient anxieties, difficulties, and demands related to life in society. METHODS: A total of 143 patients aged ≥15 years with physical disability certificates were selected using a questionnaire distributed by a patients' association. Each participant was asked about employment status, income, and receipt of disability pension as a social independence index, and about financial and psychological distress as a psychological status index. Furthermore, each participant was asked to freely describe his or her difficulties, anxieties, and needs pertaining to life in society. RESULTS: The subjects were 15-73 years old. Seventy-one (50%) were female, and 94 (66%) had a grade 1 physical disability certificate. Fifty-nine subjects (41%) were employed, 37 (26%) were unemployed, and 45 (31%) were students. Of those employed, 34 subjects (58%) reported annual individual income ≤2 million yen. Frequent hospital visits, low total household income, low individual annual income, work dissatisfaction, and receipt of a disability pension were associated with poorer psychological profile. In an open description section, subjects expressed desires for better pension systems, support for medical fees, and employment support. CONCLUSIONS: Because financial issues can adversely affect the psychological profiles of adult CHD patients, enhancement of social welfare and employment support may improve their social independence.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Medio Social
/
Bienestar Social
/
Empleo
/
Vida Independiente
/
Cardiopatías Congénitas
Tipo de estudio:
Etiology_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Qualitative_research
Aspecto:
Determinantes_sociais_saude
Límite:
Adolescent
/
Adult
/
Aged
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
País/Región como asunto:
Asia
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Pediatr Int
Asunto de la revista:
PEDIATRIA
Año:
2017
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Japón
Pais de publicación:
Australia