Patient education is considered a core component of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programmes. The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of an education intervention in improving knowledge and health behaviours among CR patients in 3 sites in Canada.
There was a significant improvement in patients’ overall knowledge pre- to post-CR, as well as in exercise, food intake, and self-efficacy. Results showed a significant positive correlation between post-CR knowledge and food intake, self-efficacy and health literacy. Education level and pre-CR knowledge were influential in changing post-CR knowledge.
In this first-ever multi-site study focusing on patient education for CR patients in Canada, the benefits of an education intervention have been supported.
