Identification of patient-reported core information needs and associated factors in hospitalized patients with heart failure: A network analysis.

BACKGROUND

The lack of identified core information needs in patients with heart failure significantly hinders the development and implementation of personalized educational interventions.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to identify the core information needs and explore the factors associated with information needs in patients with heart failure.

METHODS

A total of 307 inpatients with heart failure were recruited from three cardiovascular units of a general hospital between February and December 2023. Self-reported questionnaires were used to assess patients' sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, information needs, self-efficacy, social support, and health literacy. Network analysis and multiple linear regression were employed to analyze the data.

RESULTS

The mean total score for information needs was 2.91 ± 0.50, with 42.3 % of patients with heart failure exhibiting a high level of information needs. Network analysis showed that the top four information needs were "exercise/physical activity" (strength = 1.09), "nutrition" (strength = 0.88), "emergency/safety" (strength = 0.83), and "diagnosis and treatment" (strength = 0.81). Self-efficacy, health literacy, age, and participation in cardiac rehabilitation lectures were associated with information needs.

CONCLUSIONS

A considerable proportion of patients with heart failure exhibit high levels of information needs. The top four information needs are "exercise/physical activity", "nutrition", "emergency/safety", and "diagnosis and treatment". Self-efficacy, health literacy, age, and participation in cardiac rehabilitation lectures are related to information needs. Therefore, healthcare providers should give priority to core information needs in patients with heart failure. Developing educational strategies based on patients' individualized characteristics may be conducive to addressing their information needs.