A qualitative approach to the evaluation of a cardiac education follow-up program

The purpose of this study was to evaluate a Cardiac Education Follow-Up Program from the consumer's perspective. Nine cardiac patients between the ages of 51 and 70 participated. All had diagnoses of myocardial infarction and had taken the Program within the previous month. Patton's (1986) utilization-focused approach to evaluation provided the conceptual orientation and the Davis Patient Interview Guide (DPIG) was used for data collection. Results indicated that four aspects of the Program were of predominant interest/concern: information; support; the cardiologist's session; and the room in which the class was offered. Recommendations for program modification, using the results of the consumer's evaluation, are identified.