Exploring Information Needs and Educational Preferences of Individuals Referred to Cardiac Rehabilitation Before Program Start

Purpose: To explore information needs and educational preferences of individuals referred to cardiac rehabilitation (CR) before program start. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2023 to February 2024. Referred patients were contacted via email, which included a link to a website providing information about the CR program, and instructional videos. Data were collected through surveys that assessed health literacy levels, information needs (using the short version of the Information Needs in CR), frequently asked questions, delivery preferences, and engagement/satisfaction with educational resources. Results: Throughout the study period, the CR center received 2571 referrals, of which 881 individuals were eligible for the study, and 467 (mean age 66.4 +/- 12.2 years; 36% women) consented and completed questionnaires. Information needs were highest for CR and diagnosis/treatment and lowest for nutrition and risk factors. The study revealed significant differences in the perceived importance of information needs across various sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, including age (P = .01), educational level (P = .009), work status (P = .04), main reason for CR referral (P < .001), and health literacy (P = .02). Moreover, participants identified key areas of interest and concern related to their CR journey. These included inquiries about safe exercise initiation, pre-stress test instructions, and personalized exercise plans, among others. It was also observed that the majority of participants engaged with the educational materials provided and indicated high levels of satisfaction. Conclusion: This study revealed patient preferences regarding educational content, delivery format, and areas of interest/concern related to CR prior to program start, providing valuable insights for improving the delivery and effectiveness of such programs.