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.