Home access to hospital discharge information on audiotape reduces sick leave and readmissions in patients with first-time myocardial infarction

A prospective, randomized study was carried out to investigate whether repe ated hospital discharge information on audiotape at home could improve know ledge and rehabilitation in patients with first-time myocardial infarction. The study comprised 50 patients (12 females and 38 males) of up to 75 year s of age. At discharge, 26 patients were given tape recordings to use at ho me for one week, while 24 patients represented controls. High scores in pat ients' knowledge about their own disease were noted, as well as differences in long-term sick leave between the two groups and readmissions or need fo r emergency visits. No difference in knowledge was observed, but fewer pati ents in the tape group had long-term sick leave, readmissions or need for e mergency visits. We found that baseline characteristics were similar in the two groups. Since acquired knowledge did not appear to differ between the groups, an effect of the taped information on the patients' family network is considered.