Effectiveness of self-care educational programme on clinical outcomes and self-care behaviour among heart failure peoples-A randomized controlled trial: Study protocol

Aim To evaluate the effectiveness of a self-care education programme on clinical outcomes, self-care behaviour and knowledge on heart failure (HF) among peoples with HF. Design Randomized controlled trial. Methods The participants (N = 160) will be randomly assigned (1:1) to the intervention and the control arms using block randomization. The participants assigned to the intervention arm will receive educational intervention on HF self-care comprising video-assisted teaching with teach-back technique, tailored teaching at discharge and a guide on self-care followed by telephonic calls and text messages after discharge for 6 months along with standard care. The participants in the control arm will receive only a guide on self-care with standard care. The clinical outcomes such as health-related quality of life, hospital readmissions, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels, symptom perception, functional status, left ventricular ejection fraction, Seattle HF score, self-care behaviour and knowledge on HF will be measured at the baseline, after 1 and 6 months of the intervention. Discussion Several studies conducted on self-care education interventions have shown positive effects, whereas few studies have shown no effect on the people outcomes. Providing the printed self-care guide alone may not improve behaviour associated with self-care and clinical outcomes. These peoples need continuous reinforcement on self-care. If this self-care educational intervention shows beneficial effects, it will contribute to the clinical practice and improve clinical outcomes. Impact This research will contribute to the evidence on the effectiveness of an educational intervention on self-care among peoples with HF. The results would assist the nurses caring for peoples with HF. They can also implement this intervention for improving the peoples' self-care behaviour. Trial registration The trial is registered with the Clinical Trial Registry India and the reference ID number CTRI/2019/10/021724.

Automated summary

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a self-care education programme on clinical outcomes, self-care behaviour and knowledge on heart failure among peoples with heart failure through a randomized controlled trial. The results will contribute to improving self-care behavior in heart failure patients and may have a positive impact on clinical outcomes. This research will provide evidence on the effectiveness of educational interventions for self-care in heart failure patients, benefiting both healthcare professionals and patients.