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

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 were 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:214patients 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=<.05). The 118(55.1%) patients that completed CR demonstrated significantly higher knowledge than non-enrollees at post-test(p≤.05).There was a significant positive association between knowledge and physical activity(p≤.01) and nutrition(p≤.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 behaviours observed will be practiced in a greater proportion of patients.