title: Disease-related knowledge in cardiac rehabilitation enrollees: correlates and changes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe (1) patients' disease-related knowledge at cardiac rehabilitation (CR) entry; (2) correlates of this knowledge; (3) whether CR completion is related to knowledge; and (4) behavioral correlates of knowledge.
  
  
  METHODS
  For this prospective, observational study, a convenience sample of new CR patients was approached at 3 programs to complete a survey. It consisted of sociodemographic items, heart-health behavior surveys, and the CADE-Q. Patients were provided a similar survey 6 months later.
  
  
  RESULTS
  214 patients completed the CADE-Q at both points, with scores demonstrating "acceptable" to "good" knowledge. Higher knowledge at CR entry was significantly associated with greater education, being married, greater English-language proficiency, and history of percutaneous coronary intervention (p≤0.05). The 118 (55.1%) patients that completed CR demonstrated significantly higher knowledge than non-enrollees at post-test (p≤0.05). There was a significant positive association between knowledge and physical activity (p≤0.01) and nutrition (p≤0.05) at post-test, but no association with smoking or medication adherence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CR adherence ensures patients sustain knowledge needed to optimize their disease management, and perhaps ultimately their health outcomes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CR completion should be promoted so patients remain educated about their disease management, and the health behaviors observed will be practiced in a greater proportion of patients.
authors.affiliation: Cardiac Rehabilitation and Prevention Program, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada; Exercise Sciences Department, Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. Electronic address: gabriela.meloghisi@utoronto.ca.
authors.forename: Gabriela Lima de Melo
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Ghisi
authors.affiliation: Physical Therapy Department, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil; School of Kinesiology and Health Science, York University, Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: Raquel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Britto
authors.affiliation: School of Kinesiology and Health Science, York University, Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: Nickan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Motamedi
authors.affiliation: Cardiac Rehabilitation and Prevention Program, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada; School of Kinesiology and Health Science, York University, Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: Sherry L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Grace
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Behavior change; Cardiac rehabilitation; Knowledge; Patient education