Open AccessMedical self-care education for elders: a controlled trial to evaluate impact.
Author(s) -
Eugene C. Nelson,
Gregory J. McHugo,
Paula P. Schnurr,
Carolee A. DeVito,
Ellen Roberts,
Jeannette J. Simmons,
William Zubkoff
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
american journal of public health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.284
H-Index - 264
eISSN - 1541-0048
pISSN - 0090-0036
DOI - 10.2105/ajph.74.12.1357
Subject(s) - intervention (counseling) , medicine , test (biology) , quality of life (healthcare) , gerontology , medical care , health care , family medicine , randomized controlled trial , psychology , nursing , paleontology , surgery , economics , biology , economic growth
We conducted a trial to evaluate the impact of medical self-care education on 330 elders whose average age was 71. The test group participated in a 13-session educational intervention with training in clinical medicine, life-style, and use of health services. The comparison group received a two-hour lecture-demonstration. Both groups were assessed pre-intervention, post-intervention, and one year after entry. The results indicate medical self-care instruction: produces substantial improvements, that were sustained for one year, in health knowledge, skills performance, and skills confidence; stimulates many attempts to improve life-style; and generates improvements in life quality. The program had little influence on utilization of medical care or health status.