Abstract

Aim.The aim of this study was to compare the effect of written, figurative and written-figurative  training package of myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) on patients’ cooperation in the nuclear medicine department of Rajaie Heart Hospital.

Background.Coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the most common causes of deathall over the world and MPI is a well-known diagnostic method for CAD. However, not knowing about the procedure makes the patients anxious and reduces their cooperationand causes personnel of the department to experience fatigue and workload.

Method.A quasi-experimental design was used to conduct the study. One hundred patients, referred to the nuclear medicine department of Rajaie Heart Hospital, Tehran, Iran, were randomly assigned in four groups (25 in the control group, 25 in written training group, 25 in figurative training group, and 25 in combined training group). Two questionnaires were provided including demographics, and a researcher-made questionnaire for evaluation of patients’cooperation. Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann-Whitney U post hoc test were used for data analysis.

Findings.A statistically significant difference was seen between cooperation level of the control group and the other three groups. Figurative training package was the most effective training package.

Conclusion.Explaining the procedure to the patients before myocardial perfusion imaging is a significant action to improve their cooperation, leading to less time waste and better results.