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Highlighting Specific Patient Education Needs in an Aging Cardiac Population

Stanford Center for Research in Disease Prevention, 730 Welch Rd. Suite B, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305

John E. Martin

Veterans Administration Medical Center, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi 39216

Eric M. Morrell

Behavioral Physiology Laboratory, Duke Medical Center, Box 3926, Durham, North Carolina 27710

John G. Arena

Veterans Administration Medical Center in Augusta, Georgia

Michael J. Boland

Stanford Center for Research in Disease Prevention, 730 Welch Rd. Suite B, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305

Given the utility of a multifactoral approach to cardiac rehabilitation and the importance of tailoring such an approach to the needs of the specific cardiac population being treated, early assessment of targeted risk factors and health-related practices is becoming increasingly indi cated. The present article describes how, by using a paper-and-pencil multiple-risk-factor as sessment instrument referred to as the Heart Health Assessment Questionnaire, the specific educational needs of an aging veteran population were more clearly identified. Among the health areas found in need of particular attention were patient smoking behavior, medication education, and reported tension and worry over health problems. In addition, given the large unemployment rate within this population, the need for the adoption of activities such as physical exercise and hobbies that could have a positive impact on self-esteem and quality of life was strongly indicated. These and other findings are discussed in relation to the pivotal role of the health education professional for older cardiac populations.

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