Knowledge and learning preferences of patients with myocardial infarction

Abstract

Introduction. The objective of the research was to study the knowledge about ischaemic heart disease and learning preferences of hospitalised patients as a result of myocardial infarction.

Methods. The tested group comprised of 248 patients, aged 63 ± 11.25, who were hospitalised as a result of myocardial infarction A questionnaire with 20 single-choice questions was used in the research. The questionnaire tested the knowledge of the patients as far as ischaemic heart disease, myocardial infarction symptoms, and preventive healthcare are concerned. The patients were divided into groups depending on what knowledge sources on ischaemic heart disease they preferred — brochures, magazines, radio and TV, individual talks, group talks, films, the Internet.

Results. The proportion of correct answers was 58.49 ± 19.89%; in the area of the disease knowledge 62.74 ± 31.52%; in the area of the preventive healthcare 57.14 ± 23.38%; and in the area of the disease symptoms 56.94 ± 25.84%. The source of health knowledge selected the most was educational brochures (80.2%), while radio and TV was selected the least (17.6%). The knowledge varied depending on patients’ preferences: so those who selected films — the knowledge of the disease symptoms was higher compared to the others (64.44 ± 26.93% vs. 55.27 ± 25.35%; p = 0.02; those who selected individual talks — the knowledge of the disease symptoms was lower compared to the others (55.33 ± 24.80 vs. 61.68 ± 26.51; p = 0.007); those who selected group talks — the knowledge of the disease symptoms was higher compared to the others (62.30 ± 28.07 vs. 55.16 ± 24.96; p = 0.02). As far the other two areas of knowledge are concerned, there were no significant differences in any group.

Conclusions. Educational brochures are the most preferred source of knowledge about ischaemic heart disease by hospitalised patients as a result of myocardial infarction. The knowledge of ischaemic heart disease in patients with myocardial infarction is inadequate and it is not connected with patients’ preferences from the point of view of learning methods.