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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.