BackgroundCardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a key component of effective care for patients with a wide spectrum of cardiac problems. It seems that the short-term provision of these services can facilitate their use and meeting of related needs for patients participating in the CR programs.Materials and methodsIn this interventional study on patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD) referred to the Cardiac Rehabilitation Center of Chamran Hospital, Isfahan, Iran. One-hundred and twelve patients were randomly divided into two groups of 12 and 24 sessions of CR [mean age: 59.2 ± (9.02) and 60.7 ± (9.3) years, respectively] and underwent a CR program. All information was collected in two stages, before the beginning of the program and after completion of 12- and 24-session rehabilitation programs. The data collection tools were demographics questionnaire, the International Physical Activity Questionnaires (IPAQ), McNew Quality of Life Questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS).ResultsThe results of this study showed that in both groups, total physical activity (PA) and functional capacity increased, and the quality of life (QOL) was statistically improved. Comparison of changes in mean differences at the end of the rehabilitation periods between the two groups, showed that only the weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in the 24-session group significantly decreased compared to the 12-session group and, but no significant difference in other variables was observed.ConclusionOverall, the findings of this study support the overall benefits of the CR program in both the short and the long term. Therefore it can be suggested that a short-term program can still be a valuable option for reducing the risk in cardiac patients and meeting their service needs.

Background Nurse-patient communication is one of the most important care relationships that affects the treatment process. The health action process approach (HAPA) has been used to explain a number of behaviors. However, this approach has not been used to explain nurse-patient communication. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate effective nurse-patient communication using this approach. Materials and methods In this cross-sectional study, 300 nurses from public hospitals in the center of Iran were enrolled in the study. A researcher-developed questionnaire was used to measure the HAPA constructs. The data were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient and one-way analysis of variance with least significant difference (LSD) post hoc tests in SPSS as well as structural equation modeling using AMOUS software. Results In the motivation phase, risk perception, outcome expectancies and task self-efficacy predicted 19% of variance in intention to communicate effectively. In the volitional phase, planning and action self-efficacy predicted 22% of variance in effective communication. The scores of HAPA constructs were different depending on the levels of effective communication. Conclusions The model can serve as a reference framework to promote effective nurse-patient communication.