The Effect of Structured Education and Telemonitoring on Self-care, Self-efficacy and Quality of Life in Heart Failure Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Inability of self-care in heart failure patients worsens the symptoms and complications of heart failure and increases rehospitalisation in these patients. Providing education during hospitalization is inadequate because they need support and follow-up for ability to perform self-care. Self-care ability is influenced by self-efficacy which affects the quality of life in heart failure patients. Aim: The present study was performed with aim to examine the impact of structured education and telemonitoring on self-care, self-efficacy and quality of life in heart failure patients. Method: This randomized controlled trial study with a pretest-posttest design was performed in the Cardiac Clinic. The subjects were randomly divided into the intervention and control groups (n=68 per group). The intervention group received structured education and was followed up using telephone monitoring based on heart failure care. Telemonitoring was done every week for 20 minutes for four weeks. The control group received the routine care. Both groups completed the questionnaires on self-care, self-efficacy, and quality of life. Results: Half of the participants were elderly. At baseline, the mean scores for self-care, self-efficacy, and quality of life did not differ significantly between the two groups (p 0.05). After the intervention, the scores of self-care (20.67±1.88), self-efficacy (2.75±2.21), and quality of life (8.42±2.05) in the intervention group showed significant differences compared to the control group (p 0.001). Implications for Practice: Structured education and telemonitoring follow-up regarding heart failure care significantly increased self-care abilities, self-efficacy, and quality of life in heart failure patients.