Evaluating the effectiveness of a comprehensive patient education intervention in a hybrid model of cardiac rehabilitation: A pilot study.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effectiveness of a comprehensive educational intervention in a hybrid model of cardiac rehabilitation in Spain during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

In a prospective pretest-posttest pilot study a pooled sample of patients attending hybrid cardiac rehabilitation in Spain received a culturally-adapted education intervention for 6 weeks. Participants completed surveys at pre- and post-rehabilitation assessing disease-related knowledge, health literacy, adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and self-efficacy. Physical activity was measured by number of steps per day using wearable activity tracking devices. Satisfaction with the educational materials was also evaluated by a survey with a 10 point Likert-type scale and yes/no and open-ended questions.

RESULTS

Eighty-one(99%) participants completed both assessments. There was significant improvement in disease-related knowledge(p < 0.001), physical activity(p < 0.001), and adherence to the diet(p = 0.005) post-rehabilitation. The number of participants that were classified as having "high health literacy skills" increased by 17%. Post-rehabilitation knowledge was associated with education level (ß = 0.430; p = 0.001),pre-rehabilitation knowledge (ß = 0.510; p = 0.002), and high health literacy skills (ß = 0.489; p = 0.01). Educational materials were highly satisfactory to participants.

CONCLUSION

Significant increases in disease-related knowledge and health behaviors in patients attending hybrid models of cardiac rehabilitation are encouraging results that support the value of implementing comprehensive educational initiatives to programs in Spain.

INNOVATION

This work presents preliminary evidence of the effectiveness of the first comprehensive education intervention that is open access and culturally adapted to people living with cardiovascular disease in Spain.