The Expressions of Hope in the Face of Complex Surgery: Experiences of Patients and Their Loved Ones.

Background: Lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS), a reduction in damaged lung tissue in end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, is a breakthrough surgical procedure requiring months of rigorous screening, testing, and conditioning. Engaging in this process is prolonged and challenging with no research found exploring patients and loved ones' experiences through this demanding process.

Objective: The purpose was to examine the experience of LVRS for patients and loved ones as they encounter the complex preparation required prior to, during, and throughout the extended convalescence following surgery.

See You in 7: improving acute myocardial infarction follow-up care.

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) follow-up care is a crucial part of the AMI recovery process. The American College of Cardiology's 'See You in 7 Challenge' advocates that all patients discharged with a diagnosis of AMI have a cardiac rehabilitation referral made and outpatient cardiac rehabilitation appointment scheduled to occur within 7 days of hospital discharge. A streamlined AMI cardiac rehabilitation referral and appointment scheduling process was not in place at this urban academic medical centre.