title: Development of self-care educational material for patients with heart failure in Japan: a pilot study.
abstract: This study assessed the need for information regarding heart failure and self-care, developed self-care educational material, and investigated the feasibility of the material. A total of 22 hospitalized heart failure patients (mean age: 63 years) completed a self-administered questionnaire. We found that more than 90% of patients desired information, particularly about heart failure symptoms, time to notify healthcare providers, prognosis, and exercise/physical activity. After examining the eight existing brochures for Japanese heart failure patients, we developed self-care educational material. This was based on heart failure guidelines and on the results of our inquiry regarding information needs. Finally, a pilot study was conducted in nine hospitalized heart failure patients (mean age: 57 years). None of the patients had difficulty reading or understanding the educational material. The self-administrated questionnaire survey revealed that comprehension of the following improved after the educational sessions with the material: heart failure symptoms, medication, weighing, sodium intake, and fluid intake (P < 0.05). In conclusion, heart failure patients have a great need for information about heart failure. Our pilot study suggests that the material was readable and had a beneficial effect on heart failure comprehension.
authors.affiliation: Department of Adult Nursing, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan. naokat-tky@umin.ac.jp
authors.forename: Naoko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kato
authors.forename: Koichiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kinugawa
authors.forename: Miho
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sano
authors.forename: Satomi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Seki
authors.forename: Asuka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kogure
authors.forename: Kihoko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kobukata
authors.forename: Ryota
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ochiai
authors.forename: Sanae
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wakita
authors.forename: Keiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kazuma
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010174:Pamphlets; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012648:Self Care / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires