Learning Needs of Patients with Myocardial Infarction: Patients and Nursing Staff Perception

Abstract

Globally, the major cause of morbidity and mortality is Myocardial infarction. Nurses are responsible for assessing the actual learning needs of patients and educating them about the risk factors that may create a new ischemic heart disease. Objective: Of the present study is to identify the learning needs of patients with myocardial infarction as perceived by patients and nursing staff. The sample: Selected consists of 150 patients and 19 nurses. The study was conducted at the Medical Cardiology Unit of Alexandria main University Hospital, which has a bed capacity of 33 beds. Tools: The study uses an adapted version of the Cardiac Patients Learning Needs Inventory (CPLNI) and Nurses Perception Regarding Patients Learning Needs inventory. Results: The results suggest that the medication information is prioritized as a learning need for myocardial infarction patients, with a mean score percentage of 86.3%. The nursing staff, rank symptoms management as having more immediate priority to myocardial infarction patients, with a mean score percentage of 81.6%.In addition, the T-test analysis reveals significance statistical differences between the learning needs as perceived by patients and nursing staff. Conclusion: The study concludes that nurses’ expectations about patients’ learning needs are not always perceived in agreement with the actual patients’ needs.