Perceived learning needs of patients with heart failure in China: a cross-sectional questionnaire survey.
OBJECTIVE
To identify the learning needs of patients with heart failure (HF) in China and to examine the relationships between learning needs and patients' characteristics.


BACKGROUND
Little information on the learning needs of patients with HF in China is known. Besides, it is important to identify the potential characteristics that may influence patients' perceived learning needs.


METHODS
This cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted in three university affiliated hospitals in Xi'an, Mainland China. A total of 347 HF patients selected by convenience sampling were investigated using the Chinese version of the HF learning needs inventory. Descriptive statistics, independent t-test, Pearson correlation, and one-way analysis of variance were used for data analysis.


RESULTS
The mean scores rated by Chinese patients with HF were lower than the corresponding scores rated by patients of Western countries. Information on risk factors, prognosis, general HF information and medications were identified as the most important topics while lifestyle modification and psychological factors were regarded as the least important ones. Age negatively correlated with the learning needs on activity (r = -0.125) and prognosis information (r = -0.141). Educational level was significantly related to the learning needs about risk factors.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with HF in China considered most of the topics important for them to learn. Age and educational level were related with the learning needs on only three topics including activity, prognosis information and risk factors.


CONCLUSIONS
The study findings may be used by health professionals to develop tailored educational programme for patients with HF in China.
School of Nursing, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
Mingming
M
Yu
Sek Ying
SY
Chair
Carmen W H
CW
Chan
Xiaomei
X
Li
Kai Chow
KC
Choi
D002681:China; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000451:nursing*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012648:Self Care