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Effects of systematic education on heart failure patients' knowledge after 6 months. A randomised, controlled trial
Author(s) -
Linné A. Björck,
Liedholm H.,
Israelsson B.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
european journal of heart failure
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.149
H-Index - 133
eISSN - 1879-0844
pISSN - 1388-9842
DOI - 10.1016/s1388-9842(99)00041-0
Subject(s) - medicine , heart failure , randomized controlled trial , confidence interval , patient education , intervention (counseling) , pharmacist , physical therapy , significant difference , family medicine , surgery , nursing , pharmacy
Background: Many procedures for patient education are introduced in clinical practice without proper evaluation in randomised trials. Aims: To compare systematic nurse and pharmacist led education including an interactive Kodak Photo‐CD Portfolio technique with conventional information regarding heart failure patients' knowledge. Methods: One hundred and thirty heart failure patients discharged from hospital were randomised to receive either conventional information or additional structured education with a follow‐up of 6 months. Difference in knowledge was tested by questionnaire after 6 months. Results: At the end of the study there was a significant difference in the intervention group ( n = 50) compared to the control group ( n = 58) regarding knowledge as tested by a questionnaire. Of maximal 28 points the intervention group attained 17.2 points (mean) and the control group 14.3 points (mean), 95% confidence interval for difference 1.0–4.7 points ( P = 0.0051). Conclusions: Two to 3 hours of systematic education improved heart failure patients' knowledge on essential issues. High age does not preclude the introduction of a new technique for patient education.