Educational Role of Nurses to Patients who have Experienced an Acut Cardiac Event: A Pilot Study in Albania

Background The significant role of integrating education in a rehabilitation programme has been widely acknowledged by all health professionals. Therapies that have been shown to reduce these risks (secondary prevention of modifiable risk factors) continue to be underutilized. Cardiac educational programs are intended to prevent the recurrence of cardiac event and improve patients' quality of life. However, patients' information requests have historically not been well met by physicians and nurses in Albania. Aim This study aimed to evaluate the impact of nursing education of patients, who have experienced an acute cardiac event, about modifiable risk factors of cardiovascular diseases. Methods This is a descriptive study. We recruited 100 patients after a cardiac event, between the ages of 33-78 years. Self-report questionnaires, which included general characteristics, disease-related characteristics and a pre-test/post-test design was conducted to assess needs of the patients, changes in knowledge and self-care abilities. Results We found that more than 90% of patients desired information, particularly about heart failure symptoms, time to notify healthcare providers, prognosis, and exercise/physical activity. Of the 100 participants 61% were male, 59% were aged between 55 and 74 years, and 31.6% had not completed ten years education. There were significant statistically differences between the responses in the first test and the second test referred to smoking [95% CI 1.055-1.738, p