Determinants of information needs in patients with coronary artery disease receiving cardiac rehabilitation: a prospective observational study

OBJECTIVES: Knowledge on information needs in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) patients is scarce. This study investigates determinants of information needs in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). DESIGN: Prospective observational study. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 259 patients participated. SETTING: CR centre serving a general hospital in The Netherlands. METHODS: Patients with a coronary event and/or revascularisation referred for CR completed questionnaires assessing their level of information needs with respect to nutrition, physical activity, smoking, medication use and psychological well-being, and potential determinants of information needs (sociodemographic characteristics, health literacy, illness perceptions, anxiety, depression, Type D personality and quality of life). RESULTS: The majority (63%) of patients indicated a need for information on at least one of the four topics (nutrition, physical activity, medication use, psychological well-being), with considerable inter-individual variation. Female sex, being employed, higher socioeconomic status, higher levels of anxiety and higher illness perception were associated with higher information needs on specific topics. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of CR patients with CAD have a need for information, with considerable inter-individual variability. Several demographic, socioeconomic and psychosocial characteristics were related to their preference for information topics. These results underline the need for personalised information strategies in patients undergoing CR.