title: Evaluation of a brief educational intervention to improve knowledge of sublingual nitroglycerin in cardiac rehabilitation patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a brief educational intervention delivered in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) on patients' knowledge of sublingual nitroglycerin (SLN).
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients (n=86) commencing CR were provided with a brief educational intervention tailored to deficits identified in an assessment of SLN knowledge using the Sublingual Nitroglycerin Questionnaire, with reassessment at the end of program completion (6-8 weeks).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of patients was 64.95 years (standard deviation (SD) 10.87); 74% were male, 78% were married and 60% had not completed high school. Most (70%) had no prior coronary heart disease (CHD) history and 80% had been referred to CR following percutaneous coronary intervention. SLN knowledge scores increased from baseline to outcome. Patients were significantly more likely to know: the name of their SLN medication (11% increase, p=0.001), the recommended timing between doses (29% increase, p=0.02), the maximum number of doses (27% increase, p=0.005), to have SLN on their person at the time of the interview (25% increase, p<0.001) and to know the interaction between SLN and sildenafil (36% increase, p=0.001). The independent predictors of SLN knowledge included having better knowledge at baseline (β=0.28) and having consulted a general practitioner post discharge and before commencing CR (β=1.48).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A brief standardised knowledge intervention, individually tailored to identified deficits in a knowledge screen and delivered during CR, shows promise for improving patient knowledge of SLNs. The role of general practitioners in delivering medication education needs further investigation.
authors: 1Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Health, University of Technology, Sydney, Australia.
authors: Robyn
authors: R
authors: Gallagher
authors: Julie
authors: J
authors: Belshaw
authors: Ann
authors: A
authors: Kirkness
authors: Darrell
authors: D
authors: Warrington
authors: Leonie
authors: L
authors: Sadler
authors: Kellie
authors: K
authors: Roach
mesh_terms: D000286:Administration, Sublingual; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D005996:Nitroglycerin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D005996:Nitroglycerin
keywords: Educational intervention; cardiac rehabilitation; coronary heart disease; knowledge assessment; medication; sublingual nitroglycerin