The client with chest pain in the emergency unit: educational strategy concerning early signals and symptoms in acute myocardial infarction

Background

The emergency unit is a scenario of the development in cardio-preventive strategies, and emergency professionals should be prepared to instruct patients as to the early signals and symptoms of such diseases. We should take advantage of this opportunity window to initiate an educational strategy aiming the early identification and significance of these warning signals, as well as the likely procedures and diagnostic examinations that may be carried out during the in-hospital period, focusing on the patient's better satisfaction and understanding.

Objective

To evaluate the quality of the information provided to the client under observation in the chest pain unit.

Materials and method

This is a pilot study in which an educational video tape about AMI presenting early signals and symptoms, diagnostic examinations and healthy life habits. The video tape was shown to 20 clients under observation in the Chest Pain Unit and afterwards a questionnaire was provided.

Results

A total of 20 patients were interviewed; 60% (n = 12) were male and 40% (n = 8) female; 100% (n = 20) considered that the explanation on the video was clear and met their expectations; 35% (n = 7) would like to obtain further information besides that provided; and 55% (n = 11) felt less apprehensive and 5% (n = 1) felt more apprehensive.

Conclusion

The educational strategy by means of audiovisual resource has been implemented and evaluated in developed countries. Implementing and evaluating this strategy in Latin American countries, where we find great sociocultural discrepancy, has been a challenge in the effort to improve the contentment of the patient admitted to emergency units.