Perceived Learning Needs of Men and Women after Myocardial infarction

Using a descriptive/comparative design, 121 men and women with symptoms of myocardial infarction rated the importance of learning needs concerning heart disease. Subjects completed the Cardiac Patients Learning Needs Inventory (CPLNI) on admission to a cardiac unit. Mean scores were calculated by gender for each of the eight CPLNI informational categories. Means were ranked and six individual items that were significantly different by gender were identified. The preferred educator for women was the physician, and men preferred the nurse, closely followed by the physician. Risk factors were most important to learn for men and medications for women. Recommendations for empowering individuals through teaching are detailed.