Assessing the educational needs of post-myocardial infarction patients.

Nurses involved in cardiac rehabilitation have a responsibility and an opportunity to promote positive changes in lifestyle through patient education programs. Assessing patients' needs and setting goals with the patient are essential for attainment of the maximum benefit from the educational program. The problem of dwindling resources and pressures to control health care costs have complicated the delivery of this care in some institutions. The educational strategy chosen by the nurse will depend on the resources available. Nevertheless, whichever strategy is chosen, the nurse, by virtue of his or her role in the health care delivery system and specialized knowledge, can still significantly impact on the successful goal attainment of goals for increasing numbers of post-myocardial infarction patients.