Needs-oriented education for patients with acute coronary syndrome

Information regarding disease and therapy are provided to patients with acute coronary syndrome in the early phase of hospitalisation, often only based on individual preferences of each healthcare professional. Patients' information needs are not systematically assessed and therefore the individual information needs of the patient are unknown. In a pilot project at a cardiology care unit (CCU) of a university hospital, the information needs of acute coronary syndrome patients were systematically assessed with the Cardiac Patient Learning Needs Inventory (CPLNI) and an education and counselling session was provided to the patients. The project was evaluated by investigating patients' assessment of the questionnaire, patients' satisfaction with the education and patients' perceived subjective increase of knowledge. For analysis descriptive statistics and content analysis were used. Five women and five men with acute coronary syndrome participated in the pilot study. The results showed that the patients could indicate their information needs. The interviewed patient's reported an increase in their knowledge about cardiac disease and self management, and a high level of satisfaction with the intervention. Based on these positives results we suggest an early systematic assessment of information needs and an individualised education for patients with acute coronary syndrome in cardiology care units.