Cardiac rehabilitation: a patient education program

Hospitalized cardiac patients were given an education program that covered, in five 45-minute discussion sessions, anatomy and physiology, dietary management, appropriate activity programs, the adjustment process, risk factors, and signs and symptoms of complications of therapy. A sample of 36 patients was given pre- and posttests and followed at six weeks and three months postdischarge. Significant (p less than .05) increases in knowledge were found among study subjects which resulted in improved conditions for the subjects.