Understanding the experience: patients' perceptions of postmyocardial infarction teaching

It is a widely accepted belief among healthcare professionals that patient education for survivors of myocardial infarction (MI) is valuable. Patients benefit by learning about their disease, reducing their risk factors and modifying their lifestyle. Although these assumptions have been studied, the viewpoint of the consumer has not been elucidated. This study sought to determine patients' experience with an in-hospital, post-MI teaching program, the meaning attached to the teaching experience and the overall perceptions of the program. A qualitative focus group method was used to answer the study's questions. The findings suggest that patients valued the teaching experience and found it helped them establish new meaning in their lives. Not only was the teaching content valuable, but so were other factors crucial to their recovery from MI. Healthcare professionals can utilize these findings to develop teaching programs that truly meet the need of consumers.