title: Heart failure patient learning needs after hospital discharge.
abstract: This descriptive-correlational study examined the perceived learning needs of heart failure patients in postdischarge settings, as well as the influence of demographic variables on these learning needs. The Outpatient Heart Failure Learning Needs Inventory was used to rate subjects' perceptions of the importance of educational topics on a five-point Likert scale. Findings indicated that subjects perceived signs and symptoms and medications as most important to learn and diet, activity, and psychological factors as least important to learn. These findings are consistent with previous research and provide a framework on which to base the development of educational programs for patients with heart failure. A significant finding was that nearly 25% of screened patients were unable to participate because they were unaware that they had been diagnosed with heart failure.
authors.affiliation: Medical College of Ohio, Toledo, OH, USA. jcclark@TC3net.com
authors.forename: Judith C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.forename: Virginia M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Lan
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D024802:Nurse's Role; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000592:standards*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000592:standards*; D012648:Self Care; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires