Changes in disease-related knowledge and educational needs of patients with coronary heart disease over a six-month period between hospital discharge and follow-up

Objective: To describe changes in the disease-related knowledge and educational needs of individuals with coronary heart disease (CHD).

Methods: Patients hospitalized for CHD answered questionnaires about disease-related knowledge (Coronary Artery Disease Education Questionnaire-short version (CADE-Q-SV), score 0-20), educational needs (investigator-designed questions), health literacy (Short version of the European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire (HLS-EU-Q16)), self-care (Self-Care of Coronary Heart Disease Inventory version (SC-CHDI)), and physical activity (Leisure-time Physical Activity Questionnaire) at discharge (T1) and six months later (T2).

Results: Participants' (N = 308; mean [M] age=65.5 years [SD=8.7]; 81.5% male) knowledge scores increased from M= 13.8 (SD=3.2) to M= 14.8 (SD=2.8) (p < 0.001). At T1, educational level, age, health literacy, smoking, and self-care maintenance explained 14.5% of knowledge variability. At T2, these variables plus lack of awareness of CHD diagnosis explained 20.3% of the variability. Substantial educational needs were reported at both time points, although 89% received predischarge education.

Conclusion: The patients' educational needs were unfulfilled despite an increase in disease-related knowledge over time. Improved evidence-based patient education and follow-ups that address diagnosis, treatment, and self-care are needed.

Practice implications: Healthcare professionals can improve care of patients with CHD by providing focused patient education, prioritizing "need-to-know" topics and considering patients' health literacy.