Relationship between awareness of disease and adherence to therapeutic regimen among cardiac patients

Adherence to prescribed therapeutic regimen is an important element of self-care behaviors in cardiac patients. Awareness of disease may play an important role in patient adherence. Thus, this study was conducted to examine the relationship between awareness of the disease and adherence to therapeutic regimen among cardiac patients admitted to selected hospitals in Mashhad, Iran. Using a descriptive correlational design, 340 patients with heart disease were selected using convenience sampling from five hospitals in Mashhad during December 2009 to May 2010. Data were collected using three questionnaires including demographic information, awareness of disease and treatment adherence [including medication, diet and physical activity]. Validity and reliability of the questionnaires were examined by content validity and test-retest, respectively. Also, inter-rater reliability was examined for two data raters. Data were analyzed by SPSS software, using Spearman and Kruskal-Wallis tests. The results showed that only 15 percent of the study subjects had a good awareness of their disease. The majority of patients followed a good medication adherence [79%], good diet adherence [60%], and weak physical activity adherence [61%]. A significant correlation was found between knowledge and adherence to therapeutic regimen [P=0.001, r[p]=0.32]. This study showed that awareness of disease and adherence to physical activity was low in the majority of patients. It is recommended that studies should be conducted to explore effective educational programs and strategies to improve adherence to therapeutic regimen among cardiac patients

[ survey of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Physicians Related to Evidence-Based Medicine in Hakim and 22 Bahman Hospitals of Neyshabur]

Introduction and Aims: evidence based medicine aids the delivery of effective service to patients, diagnosing and treating. According to Clinical guidelines of evidence-based medicine, it's possible to change clinical decision, improve treatment and promote the patients´ health. The purpose of this study is to survey knowledge, attitudes and performance about evidence-based medicine among physicians

Materials and Methods: all of the physicians in educational hospitals of medical faculty of Neyshabur, were entered in this cross-descriptive study by convenience sampling method. The questionnaire included demographic information and also information about knowledge, attitudes and obstacles of evidence-based medicine. Data were analyzed by SPSS v.16 software and descriptive statistics

Results: results showed that 88 % of physicians had little familiarity with evidence-based medicine and its resources. 47.8 % of them employed evidence-based medicine in their treatment decisions and 60.4 % knew the significance of evidence based medicine for medical teams. Overloud of information were reported by 55.1 % of participants as preventive factor in use of evidence-based medicine

Conclusion: according to low level of knowledge and performance in evidence-based medicine among physicians, promoting awareness and practice is needed