The role of complex patient education program in heart failure care

Abstract

Introduction: In light of the 2021 European Society of Cardiology Heart Failure Guidelines, patient education is a key element of care for patients with heart failure, including teaching self-care behavior and recognizing emergency conditions. Objective: To assess the impact of the complex heart failure patient education program at a tertiary cardiology center on the patients' knowledge on heart failure and self-care, and to evaluate its long-Term persistence. Method: We conducted a patient education program among patients hospitalized for heart failure after 01. 06. 2023 in the Heart Failure Unit of our Center. Patients and their family members participated in an interactive lecture to learn about the main characteristics of heart failure, self-care and recognition of emergency conditions. Before and after the education, and after a 3-and 6-month follow-up, patients' knowledge was assessed with a single-choice questionnaire consisting of 11 questions. The changes in their self-care responsibilities were also examined. Results: Data from the first 87 consecutive patients participating in the education program were analyzed. 76% were male, the median age was 56 [45-64] years, and 45% were previously hospitalized for heart failure. In the effect of the patient education program, patients' knowledge significantly improved as measured by total questionnaire score (9 [8-10] vs. 11 [11-11] points, p<0.001; before vs. after education). Knowledge sustained stable (p<0.001) at 3-month (9 [8-10] vs. 11 [10-11] points; before education vs. 3-month follow-up) and 6-month follow-up (9 [8-10] vs. 11 [10-11] points; before education vs. 6-month follow-up). Also, the practice of daily self-care activities (measurement of blood pressure, pulse, weight and fluid intake) improved significantly (p<0.001). Conclusion: According to our results, a structured heart failure patient education program involving a specialist heart failure nurse significantly improved patients' knowledge of heart failure and self-care, which persisted long-Term. The practice of daily self-care activities has improved remarkably. It highlights the importance of heart failure patient education in improving the quality of life and prognosis.