NP014 The cardiac patient education curriculum synthesis project: Creating a bridge between education and practice

It is well known that cardiac rehabilitation is a powerful tool to reduce morbidity following myocardial infarction. It is also accepted that participation in formal cardiac rehabilitation is less than optimal at about 30%. Our centre is developing an interdisciplinary heart health program that will attempt to engage patients early post hospitalization with a view to activating behaviour change, increased use of secondary prevention therapies and enhanced use of formal cardiac rehabilitation in our region. Through a synthesis program at a local university, our team of undergraduate nursing students, university sponsor and clinical facilitator came together with a common goal of exploring and enhancing care for patients who had experienced acute coronary syndrome. The student group engaged in a variety of activities designed to explore baseline knowledge, current practice and participant needs and preferences over an 18-week period. Regular meetings were held via an electronic meeting room provided by the university. Our presentation outlines the synthesis project process and outcomes including the proposal for implementation of an eight-week education program focused on needs and preferences of the proposed participation group. Key learning points and future directions will be shared.