The Know & Go! program improves knowledge for patients with coronary heart disease in pilot testing

ObjectiveTo determine if patients hospitalized for angioplasty could learn about symptoms, risk factors, and care-seeking behaviors before and after discharge and to assess patient acceptability of the intervention.MethodsThirty-two women and 32 men were randomly assigned to groups and completed an intervention pretest. The experimental group viewed the Know & Go! slide presentation at baseline and 2 and 4 months after discharge. A satisfaction survey was mailed to patients in the experimental group.ResultsThere were no significant differences between groups in clinical or sociodemographic characteristics. The experimental group scored significantly higher on an intervention posttest at study completion (F = 15.21; P < .001). Patients were highly satisfied with the program and computer technology (range 0-12, M = 9.57 ± 1.83).ConclusionThe Know & Go! intervention was safe, effective, and acceptable to patients in pilot testing. Results support refinement and further testing of the intervention for patients diagnosed with coronary heart disease.