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OBJECTIVE	In a randomized controlled trial of a preoperative education intervention conducted for Chinese cardiac patients , we observed a greater effect on symptoms of anxiety and depression than that reported with regard to similar interventions in western care settings .
OBJECTIVE	The objective of this qualitative study was to help explain the findings of the trial by exploring Chinese patients ' experience of seeking and receiving information before cardiac surgery .
METHODS	Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 20 trial participants before discharge ( ten from the preoperative education group ; ten from the usual care control group ) .
METHODS	Data were analyzed using a thematic analysis approach .
RESULTS	A total of five themes were generated : the role of reputation and hierarchy ; gaining strength from knowledge ; information as a low priority ; being kept in the dark ; and learning through peer support .
CONCLUSIONS	In health care systems where service users are given relatively little information , interventions designed to inform patients about their treatment are likely to have a much greater impact on their psychological health .
CONCLUSIONS	Providers of services for patients undergoing cardiac surgery in China should be encouraged to incorporate information giving into routine practice , tailored according to individual need .

