Need for Information and Psychological Correlates among Patients with Cardiovascular Diseases

Several studies on chronic diseases have underlined the need for personalized healthcare, taking into account patients’ information needs and preferences, to support their proactive health management. However, little research has been conducted to determine cardiovascular disease patients’ information needs and the psychological factors associated with these needs. Our study aimed to explore the priorities and the correlates of information needs among patients with coronary disease. 357 newly diagnosed patients with acute myocardial infarction or acute coronary syndrome completed a questionnaire which assessed different psychological factors and the need for further information on six topics related to disease management. Descriptive analyses were conducted to identify information needs; correlation analysis were conducted to explore the relationship between need for information and psychological factors. Overall, patients wanted to be extensively informed in each domain; the key information need was for a full understanding of the disease, while information about behavioral habits emerged as a minor theme. Correlations between Coping Strategies, Anxiety, Orientation to Happiness, Psychological Well-being and Need for Information were found. In particular, Adaptive Coping Strategies were positively associated with the need for further information about Pathology. Anxiety was positively associated with the need of information on Distress Management and Risks And Complications of the disease, whereas it was negatively associated with information about Behavioral Habits. Orientation to happiness was negatively associated with information on Behavioral Habits and Daily Life Activities, while Psychological Well Being was correlated with information about Pathology, Behavioral Habits and Distress domains. Taking into account the information needs and the relationships between these and the psychological factors could enhance quality of chronic disease management, leading health-care system to move toward a patient-tailored care.