[Psychosocial predictors for initiating a pension procedure after bypass operation]

Abstract

From the psychologist's point of view, a routine coronary artery bypass operation is often looked upon by patients as a negative situation. The patient develops the feeling that his or her life has been dramatically altered, thus the patient feels he must somehow make a change in the upcoming pattern of the future. The patient, as well as his employer, is convinced of subjective models of etiology, which cause the attitude that circumstances of living must change rapidly. In this context continued employment is viewed as a significant burden and hindrance, despite an excellent post-operative discharge diagnosis. According to the hypothesis, emotions and attitudes directly concerning the working environment, that lead to an application for early retirement should be identified. Medical and psychological counseling before surgery and post-op rehabilitation, should be carried out to ease the obsession with early retirement and prevent possibly following psychopathological disturbances.