Healthcare providers’ awareness of the information needs of their cardiac rehabilitation patients throughout the program continuum

Objective

To (1) describe cardiac rehabilitation (CR) participant information needs, (2) investigate whether CR providers are cognizant of patient's information needs and preferred delivery formats, and (3) investigate whether patient information needs change over the course of CR.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, 306 CR patients and 28 CR providers completed a survey. The survey consisted of the Information Needs in CR (INCR) questionnaire, and items about preferred education delivery formats.

Results

Low-income CR participants had significantly greater information needs than high-income participants. CR providers were cognizant of patient information needs, except patients did desire more information on diagnosis and treatment than providers perceived (p < 0.01). Books, lectures and discussion were identified as the preferred delivery formats by both patients and providers. There were some significant differences in patient information needs over the course of the program, particularly in relation to concerns and risk factors.

Conclusion

CR patients desire information in many areas, particularly regarding emergency/safety and diagnosis/treatment. CR providers were highly cognizant of patient information needs; however, these do change over time.

Practice implications

These findings could inform evaluation and improvement of CR education programming, to ensure programs are meeting patient information needs across all stages of recovery.