Disease-related knowledge in cardiac rehabilitation enrollees: correlates and changes

Abstract

Objectives: To describe (1) patients' disease-related knowledge at cardiac rehabilitation (CR) entry; (2) correlates of this knowledge; (3) whether CR completion is related to knowledge; and (4) behavioral correlates of knowledge.

Methods: For this prospective, observational study, a convenience sample of new CR patients was approached at 3 programs to complete a survey. It consisted of sociodemographic items, heart-health behavior surveys, and the CADE-Q. Patients were provided a similar survey 6 months later.

Results: 214 patients completed the CADE-Q at both points, with scores demonstrating "acceptable" to "good" knowledge. Higher knowledge at CR entry was significantly associated with greater education, being married, greater English-language proficiency, and history of percutaneous coronary intervention (p≤0.05). The 118 (55.1%) patients that completed CR demonstrated significantly higher knowledge than non-enrollees at post-test (p≤0.05). There was a significant positive association between knowledge and physical activity (p≤0.01) and nutrition (p≤0.05) at post-test, but no association with smoking or medication adherence.

Conclusions: CR adherence ensures patients sustain knowledge needed to optimize their disease management, and perhaps ultimately their health outcomes.

Practice implications: CR completion should be promoted so patients remain educated about their disease management, and the health behaviors observed will be practiced in a greater proportion of patients.

Keywords: Behavior change; Cardiac rehabilitation; Knowledge; Patient education.