Learning Needs of Iranian Patients with Coronary Heart Disease: A Cross-sectional, Comparative Study

Background: Patient education requires modification as it is either nonexistent or implemented irregularly or inadequately. Study’s purpose: To examine the learning needs of patients with coronary heart disease from the perspective of the patients, their relatives, and health care providers. Methodology: The cross-sectional, comparative study conducted at two cardiac hospitals of Tabriz and Ardebil, Iran from May 2016 to September 2016.Through convenience sampling perceptions of 137 patients, 137 relatives, 33 cardiologists, and 108 nurses were compared using the Cardiac Learning Need Inventory questionnaire. Major results: The most important learning needs of patients from the perspective of physicians, nurses, and patients’ relatives was information about risk factors. In contrast, patient’s perceived information about medication to be their most important learning need. Clinical implications: Patients’ perceptions of their educational needs was different from the perceptions of physicians, nurses, and relatives of the patients. Therefore, when planning patient education a comprehensive review of the patients’ learning needs is required in order to develop a suitable education plan by prioritizing patients’ educational needs.