A health education booklet and telephone follow-ups can improve medication adherence, health-related quality of life, and psychological status of patients with heart failure

Heart Lung. 2015 Sep-Oct;44(5):400-7. doi: 10.1016/j.hrtlng.2015.05.004. Epub 2015 Jun 6.

Abstract

Background: Heart failure is an increasing public health problem globally. Interventions are imperative in managing the disease.

Objective: To examine the effectiveness of a health education booklet and telephone follow-ups on patients' medication adherence, health-related quality of life, and psychological status.

Methods: One hundred and sixty heart failure patients were assigned to either the experimental group (health education booklet and telephone follow-ups) or the control group (usual care). An independent t-test and the generalized estimating equation (GEE) model were used to compare the differences in the study outcomes. The statistical tests were two-sided and a p value below 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: The patients in the experimental group showed greater improvement throughout the study period compared with those in the control group regarding all the study outcomes.

Conclusions: The study provided clues for healthcare professionals to develop interventions while undertaking clinical work with limited resources in China.

Keywords: Education; Heart failure; Interventional study; Telephone follow-up.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • China
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Heart Failure / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Medication Adherence*
  • Middle Aged
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care
  • Pamphlets*
  • Patient Education as Topic*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Quality of Life*
  • Reminder Systems*
  • Telephone