Table 2.
Summary of Quotations from Collaborative Care to Alleviate Symptoms and Adjust to Illness Participants
| Positive statements | Negative or neutral statements with recommendations for improvement |
|---|---|
| CASA cared for psychosocial needs | |
| Frequency: 48 “It did a tremendous job of bringing me out of the doldrums. That's what the program did for me. it brought me 75–80% back to normal” Participant 19 “They gave me lots of ideas on how to talk to my family about it. The most recent (example) is my husband started working for a new company and he is getting up at like four o'clock in the morning. I used to get up with him when he would get up for work, and we would get up at 6, and that wasn't too bad, but getting up at 4 o'clock in the morning was just killing me. I couldn't do it. The social worker helped me word, give me words, I don't know how to say it, to explain to my husband what it was doing to me, and that I needed to sleep in, and he has let me sleep in every day (which has helped my energy levels a lot throughout the day).” Participant 33 “I think you made me realize that life is worth living and I want to do anything that I have to do to continue you know it's uh I can see the benefits of what's been said and if I continue to do it I might add some time to my lifespan.” Participant 13 |
Frequency: 1 “I guess the discussions with the social workers about any signs of depression or mood swings because I really haven't had a problem with that. I mean somewhat I do, because I feel so much more limited than before. And any mood change or depression that I was incurring I don't think was because of my heart attack.” Participant 44 |
| CASA encouraged self-management | |
| Frequency: 53 “I check my weight- you guys sent me a scale, and I'm still trying to get out as far as doing stuff healthy- walk my dog, do stuff that is healthy and get some fresh air.” Participant 27 “Kinda helped me figure out how to take care of my health more. Gave ideas on what to do and when.” Participant 2 “Knowing who you are, what your body is telling you and being able to express that and speak with friends or other family members who may be having problems and don't know how to cope.” Participant 43 |
Frequency: 0 |
| CASA medication recommendations worked | |
| Frequency: 34 “Well they made sure I was, when they adjusted my medication it made a great deal to me, they cut some of it down.” Participant 30 |
Frequency: 5 “They helped me a little bit with the medications and suggestions and some of them were successful and some of them weren't. Like for instance I tried that lyrica and it was not good for me…” Participant 15 |
| CASA facilitated goal attainment | |
| Frequency: 32 “I came out of the program feeling a little more comfortable and a little bit more motivated recognizing that it's not the end of the world and that I can keep on going so they motivated me and sometimes it was either one of them…you know just to go do things, to walk more, to just go further like getting more exercise and setting huge goals and setting secondary goals.” Participant 6 |
Frequency: 9 “Nothing to think of… walking didn't work. I still can't walk more than 1/2 block. I tried the stationary bike but that didn't work either.” Participant 5 |
| CASA team was beneficial | |
| Frequency: 6 “Well I think all the parts where the doctors, the social worker part of it, you know the medical side of it and everything else…they were all engaged and interested in my well-being both medically, emotionally…and if there were any areas that seemed to be a red flag or something then they would want to address that so or see if there was any indication of any problems in those areas and if so they would have the tools to do that.” Participant 45 “It had a great impact on my life. I had the nurse and SW, and they were calling and being concerned, so it had a big impact on my life… They were concerned on how I was feeling and stuff, what they can do for me to make my life better, with all that concern it made me feel good, I'm by myself so I don't have anybody looking after me.” Participant 23 |
Frequency: 4 “You guys recommended an annual check on clogged arteries on my neck, but you don't have power to set it up.” Participant 19 |
| Good visit timing | |
| Frequency: 15 “Frequency of calls was good.” Participant 7 “Did not call too much. sometimes would call when not home or going outdoor, but would call back another time.” Participant 2 |
Frequency: 19 “Just a little more contact with doctors and nurses, and I guess more time talking to them to, more often. It's hard to get ahold of me, like when I was in TX for 6 months, but they worked with me on the study.” Participant 18 “I wish it would have lasted a little longer, it seemed to me that time went by really fast.” Participant 23 |
CASA, Collaborative Care to Alleviate Symptoms and Adjust to Illness.