title: A systematic review of patient education in cardiac patients: do they increase knowledge and promote health behavior change?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  (1) To investigate the impact of education on patients' knowledge; (2) to determine if educational interventions are related to health behavior change in cardiac patients; and (3) to describe the nature of educational interventions.
  
  
  METHODS
  A literature search of several electronic databases was conducted for published articles from database inception to August 2012. Eligible articles included cardiac patients, and described delivery of educational interventions by a healthcare provider. Outcomes were knowledge, smoking, physical activity, dietary habits, response to symptoms, medication adherence, and psychosocial well-being. Articles were reviewed by 2 authors independently.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, 42 articles were included, of which 23 (55%) were randomized controlled trials, and 16 (38%) were considered "good" quality. Eleven studies (26%) assessed knowledge, and 10 showed a significant increase with education. With regard to outcomes, educational interventions were significantly and positively related to physical activity, dietary habits, and smoking cessation. The nature of interventions was poorly described and most frequently delivered post-discharge, by a nurse, and in groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings support the benefits of educational interventions in CHD, though increase in patients' knowledge and behavior change.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Future reporting of education interventions should be more explicitly characterized, in order to be reproducible and assessed.
authors: Exercise Sciences Department, Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Cardiac Rehabilitation and Prevention Program, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada. Electronic address: gabriela.meloghisi@utoronto.ca.
authors: Gabriela Lima de Melo
authors: GL
authors: Ghisi
authors: Cardiac Rehabilitation and Prevention Program, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada.
authors: Flavia
authors: F
authors: Abdallah
authors: Cardiac Rehabilitation and Prevention Program, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada; School of Kinesiology and Health Science, York University, Toronto, Canada.
authors: Sherry L
authors: SL
authors: Grace
authors: Exercise Sciences Department, Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
authors: Scott
authors: S
authors: Thomas
authors: Cardiac Rehabilitation and Prevention Program, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada.
authors: Paul
authors: P
authors: Oh
mesh_terms: D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D010353:Patient Education as Topic
keywords: Coronary disease; Health behavior; Patient education as topic; Systematic review