Effects of systematic education on heart failure patients' knowledge after 6 months. A randomised, controlled trial.
BACKGROUND
Many procedures for patient education are introduced in clinical practice without proper evaluation in randomised trials.


OBJECTIVE
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.
Linné
A B
AB
B Pharm Department of Community Medicine, Malmö University Hospital, Sweden. agneta.bjorck-linne@smi.mas.lu.se
Liedholm
H
H
Israelsson
B
B
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001296:Audiovisual Aids; D018961:Educational Technology / Q000295:instrumentation; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D019359:Knowledge; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires