title: Improving knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about acute coronary syndrome through an individualized educational intervention: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To test the effectiveness of an individualized educational intervention on knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about acute coronary syndrome (ACS).
  
  
  METHODS
  This multi-site, randomized controlled trial was conducted on 1947 patients with a diagnosis of ACS. Both groups received usual in-hospital education. Participants randomized to the intervention group received a 40-min one to one individualized education session, delivered using motivational interviewing techniques. The intervention was reinforced 1 month and 6 months later. Knowledge, attitudes and beliefs were measured using the ACS Response Index. A total of 1136 patients (control, n=551; intervention, n=585) completed the questionnaire at baseline, 3 and 12 months. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance. Ethical approval was obtained.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a significant effect of the intervention on mean knowledge (p<0.001), attitude (p=0.003) and belief (p<0.001) scores at 3 and 12 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ensuring patients retain information post education has always been difficult to attain. This study demonstrated that patient education using motivational interviewing techniques and an individualized approach has the potential to alter knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about ACS among a high risk population.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This relatively short, simple and effective educational intervention could be delivered by nurses in multiple settings.
authors: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland. Electronic address: obrienfr@tcd.ie.
authors: Frances
authors: F
authors: O'Brien
authors: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
authors: Gabrielle
authors: G
authors: McKee
authors: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
authors: Mary
authors: M
authors: Mooney
authors: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
authors: Sharon
authors: S
authors: O'Donnell
authors: College of Nursing, University of Kentucky, Lexington, USA.
authors: Debra
authors: D
authors: Moser
mesh_terms: D054058:Acute Coronary Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Acute coronary syndrome; Educational intervention; Knowledge attitudes and beliefs; Motivational interviewing; Randomized controlled trial