title: Web-based education and support for patients on the cardiac surgery waiting list.
abstract: We assessed the effectiveness of two methods of patient education, a printed manual and a Website, provided to patients waiting for cardiac surgery. The four-phase study was conducted over two and a half years, and included urban and rural subjects in Vancouver and the interior of British Columbia. The Website was based on the specially developed patient education manual. A pilot evaluation study was carried out to assess the features of the Website and to ensure it was 'user-friendly', after which it was revised. The two education methods were evaluated using both qualitative and quantitative studies. Findings supported the feasibility and viability of both formats. The Web-based format demonstrated two additional benefits over the print-based format, namely increased social support and decreased anxiety. Other findings included the perception of increased support, lifestyle changes and more positive attitudes towards the impending surgery.
authors.affiliation: Heart Center at St Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, Canada. scherrer@intergate.bc.ca
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Scherrer-Bannerman
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fofonoff
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Minshall
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Downie
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Leslie
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: McGowan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002170:Canada; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D014850:Waiting Lists