Determinants of information needs in patients with coronary artery disease receiving cardiac rehabilitation: a prospective observational study.

Objectives: Knowledge on information needs in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) patients is scarce. This study investigates determinants of information needs in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Design: Prospective observational study.

Participants: A total of 259 patients participated.

Setting: CR centre serving a general hospital in The Netherlands.

Methods: Patients with a coronary event and/or revascularisation referred for CR completed questionnaires assessing their level of information needs with respect to nutrition, physical activity, smoking, medication use and psychological well-being, and potential determinants of information needs (sociodemographic characteristics, health literacy, illness perceptions, anxiety, depression, Type D personality and quality of life).

Results: The majority (63%) of patients indicated a need for information on at least one of the four topics (nutrition, physical activity, medication use, psychological well-being), with considerable inter-individual variation. Female sex, being employed, higher socioeconomic status, higher levels of anxiety and higher illness perception were associated with higher information needs on specific topics.

Conclusions: The majority of CR patients with CAD have a need for information, with considerable inter-individual variability. Several demographic, socioeconomic and psychosocial characteristics were related to their preference for information topics. These results underline the need for personalised information strategies in patients undergoing CR.