Patient education by videotape after myocardial infarction: an empirical evaluation

Patients recovering from myocardial infarction (MI) or other heart diseases at St. Francis Hospital, Hartford, Ct, were educated by videotape or by staff lectures on alternating weeks. Both programs included the following: risk factors for MI, medications, diet, MI symptoms and life style changes. Patients were interviewed before and after the educational program. The MI patients under the age of 60 scored equally well on an informational test irrespective of the type of education program experienced. Older MI patients were significantly more likely to complete the educational program when it was given by videotape; those discontinuing attendance at lectures were less psychologically motivated to participate but were not necessarily more ill. Overall, higher education was the single most significant predictor of superior scores following patient education. Implications for the coronary care ward of the success of videotape in educating MI patients are discussed.