An Examination of Patient and Nurse Perceptions of Stressors During the Electrophysiology Study

The purpose of this study was to (a) identify the perceived stressors of patients undergoing an electrophysiology study (EPS) and (b) compare them to the stressors identified by nurses caring for those patients. A descriptive two group comparative design with a non-probability convenience sample was used. Data were obtained using self report questionnaires. The sample consisted of 25 patients undergoing an EPS and 25 nurse responses. Data analyses included a comparison of the ordering of stressors according to perceived concern by the patient and the nurse. While similar items were identified, there was a difference in the perceived order of concern of these items. A paired t test indicated a significant difference between the two groups’ perception of illness related stressors. The Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed test was used to analyze the difference in individual stressors identified by patient/nurse pairs. Seven stressors were identified as having a significant difference in perceived concern