Impact Of Information Needs In Cardiac Rehabilitation (INCR) Tool Based Patient Education On Outpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation Engagement Among Coronary Artery Disease Individuals- An Experimental Study.

Despite strong evidence supporting the benefits of cardiac rehabilitation (CR), enrolment and adherence rates remain low, ranging between 15% and 30%. Recognizing that effective patient education is essential for improving engagement, this study examined the impact of the Individualized Needs-based Cardiac Rehabilitation (INCR) Tool—a structured, tailored education approach—on CR participation compared to conventional education. Sixty-six patients with coronary artery disease were purposively sampled and randomly assigned to either a control group receiving standard education or an intervention group receiving individualized education using the INCR Tool through responsive teaching methods. Results revealed that 81.8% of participants in the INCR group enrolled in CR compared to only 15.2% in the conventional group (χ² = 29.36, p < .001; Z = 3.65, p < .001), with significantly higher adherence levels observed. No significant association was found between educational level and enrolment, while barriers included time, travel, and financial limitations. The INCR Tool, grounded in behavioural theory and adult learning principles, demonstrates a significant, low-cost strategy to enhance CR engagement in low-resource settings.