title: What have our patients learnt after being hospitalised for an acute myocardial infarction?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Education for hospitalised patients is an important aspect of care for people who have an acute cardiovascular event.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the cardiovascular risk factor behaviours of patients together with their acute coronary syndrome (ACS) knowledge, attitudes and beliefs following admission to hospital for an acute myocardial infarction.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients diagnosed with an acute myocardial infarction participated in an observational study. Patients completed a questionnaire consisting of cardiovascular risk factor behaviour questions and the ACS Response Index prior to discharge and at follow-up 10 weeks later.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 135 participants enrolled, 114 (84%) completed follow-up, 70% were males; mean age was 63 (± 11.6) years. The median length of hospital stay was 3 days (IQR 1) and the time to follow-up after discharge was 10 weeks. Self-reported risk factor behaviours improved significantly for diet (p < 0.001) and smoking cessation (p = 0.023) following discharge. At discharge 39% of patients had inadequate knowledge of ACS symptoms. The ACS Response Index improved significantly after discharge for attitudes (p = 0.004) and beliefs (p = 0.008). Despite 85% of patients indicating they would attend cardiac rehabilitation only 30% had commenced a programme at follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients reported implementing a number of healthy lifestyle changes following discharge including smoking cessation and healthy eating. Attitudes and beliefs regarding ACS showed a significant improvement following discharge. More than one third of patients had inadequate knowledge at discharge, suggesting current education practices may not be meeting the needs of patients with a myocardial infarction.
authors: Princess Alexandra Hospital, Cardiology Department, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; The University of Queensland, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Electronic address: mary.boyde@health.qld.gov.au.
authors: Mary
authors: M
authors: Boyde
authors: Princess Alexandra Hospital, Cardiology Department, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors: Kylee
authors: K
authors: Grenfell
authors: Princess Alexandra Hospital, Cardiology Department, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors: Rob
authors: R
authors: Brown
authors: Princess Alexandra Hospital, Cardiology Department, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors: Sam
authors: S
authors: Bannear
authors: Princess Alexandra Hospital, Cardiology Department, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors: Naomi
authors: N
authors: Lollback
authors: Princess Alexandra Hospital, Cardiology Department, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors: Jane
authors: J
authors: Witt
authors: Princess Alexandra Hospital, Cardiology Department, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors: Leanne
authors: L
authors: Jiggins
authors: Centre for Health Practice Innovation, Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; Princess Alexandra Hospital, Intensive Care Unit, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors: Leanne
authors: L
authors: Aitken
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000628:therapy*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011793:Queensland; D012307:Risk Factors; D012648:Self Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Cardiovascular disease; Cardiovascular nursing; Consumer health information; Health education; Myocardial infarction; Patient education