Self-care materials in the practice of cardiology: an explorative study among American cardiologists

American practitioners were surveyed about the role of self-care materials in the management of cardiology patients. Respondents indicated their patients commonly use self-care materials and seek recommendation of appropriate readings. Over half those responding had reviewed 'some' popular works, but few had been able to keep up with this literature. The great majority of responders found self-care materials sometimes helpful to patients, considered certain works particularly helpful, and made recommendations to patients; many agreed that certain published works might be harmful. AHA publications were most frequently endorsed, followed by Dr Dean Ornish's Program for Reversing Heart Disease and The New American Diet. Patients were cautioned by some physicians to avoid certain other titles. Greater professional effort to evaluate the appropriateness of popularized self-care works for cardiology patients is needed.