Tele-guidance of chronic heart failure patients enhances knowledge about the disease. A multi-centre, randomised controlled study.
BACKGROUND
New strategies are required to optimize care in increasing numbers of chronic heart failure patients. The aim of this randomised trial was to evaluate a remote guidance system.


METHODS
Intervention group patients received a home TV-channel providing educational materials. Tele-guidance was performed by a Medical Service Centre. Control group patients were followed by cardiologists and HF-nurses. Primary endpoints were total days in hospital for all causes and days alive and out of hospital. Secondary endpoints were: quality of life and knowledge of disease and self care.


RESULTS
214 patients were enrolled, median age was 66 years, 89% had systolic LV dysfunction, and 90% were in NYHA class II or III. The mean LVEF was 31%. Over a mean follow-up duration of 288 days, there were 199 hospital admissions in 105 patients. Comparison of the groups revealed no differences for the primary outcomes or for QoL or self care behaviour. Knowledge about heart failure however, increased significantly more in the Intervention group (p<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Tele-guidance may play a role in the management of heart failure patients since it takes over some of the tasks of HF-nurses. This may facilitate delivery of optimal care to more patients with the same level of experienced staff.
Balk
Aggie H
AH
Department of Cardiology, Thoraxcentre, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. a.h.m.m.balk@erasmusmc.nl
Davidse
Wim
W
Dommelen
Paula van
Pv
Klaassen
Ellen
E
Caliskan
Kadir
K
van der Burgh
Pieter
P
Leenders
Christina M
CM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D019114:Remote Consultation / Q000379:methods*; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods*