Helen Staak

• Supporting cardiology patients to be active participants in their communication and treatment process at the II Cardiology Department in North Estonia Medical Centre
• Tutor: Riina Raudne, PhD and Martin Serg, MD, PhD

North Estonia Medical Center is one of the biggest hospitals in Estonia, housing one of the largest interdisciplinary cardiology centers focusing on preventing, diagnosing, and treating heart disease. As part of the center, II Cardiology Department provides treatment procedures for people suffering from various heart conditions. Providing patients with a timely and thorough explanation of the upcoming treatment journey is an important cornerstone in doctor-patient communication. The way health information is delivered, affects the patient’s involvement and adherence to the treatment. Presenting information in an accessible way enables the patient to make informed decisions. The solution is an information leaflet that acts as a tool to support patient communication and increased patient participation in the process. The leaflet helps the person to think through the topics and questions they want to discuss with their doctor before the procedure. It also provides a simple overview of what to expect and what to keep in mind at each step of the treatment process.