Does a community based heart failure disease management programme improve quality of life, knowledge and self-care of participants?: A service evaluation
Authors
Baron, Clare E.Advisors
Buckley, John P.Publication Date
2011-09-30
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Heart failure also has poor clinical outcomes with around 40% of people dying within one year of initial diagnosis. Heart failure patients have a five-year survival rate of just 58% compared to 93% in the age- and gender-matched general population. It has long been identified that education and improving self-care behaviour is an important aspect of managing heart failure to aid in reducing costs to the economy as well as, more importantly for patients, improving quality of life. The aim of this service evaluation is to assess the impact of the Living Well with Heart Failure Programme on participants in terms of knowledge, quality of life and self-care behaviour. 21 participants (14 males, 67 yrs ±13, 7 females, 72 yrs ± 9) with diagnosed heart failure took part in a pilot six week disease management programme consisting of education, social interaction and relaxation practice facilitated by a community cardiac rehabilitation practitioner. Participants' quality of life was assessed via the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure questionnaire and self-care behaviour was measured via the Self-Care of Heart Failure Index at week one and week six along with a knowledge questionnaire. Paired t tests were conducted on the overall sample with further analysis being carried out on genders, NYHA classifications and age groups both within and between groups. There was a significant improvement in quality of life of 12% (p=0.005) and participant knowledge improved by 100% (p=0.005). Self-care behaviour also significantly improved - maintenance 70% (p=0.005), management 66% (p=0.005) and confidence 63% (p=0.005). Whilst all groups showed significant improvements in quality of life, knowledge and self-care behaviour, no significant differences were found between them. Statistically significant improvements in quality of life, knowledge and self-care behaviour were seen in the participants of the Living Well Programme. The design of this programme of not only educating participants but also encouraging self-care behaviours with continued support and motivation would seem to be key in promoting behaviour change which in turn improve well being. On the basis of the evidence provided in this service evaluation local primary care trust should look to commission the Living Well Programme across East Lancashire allowing all heart failure patients in the area the opportunity to empower themselves to improve their health and well being.Publisher
University of ChesterType
Thesis or dissertationLanguage
enSponsors
British Heart Foundation ; East Lancashire Primary Care TrustCollections
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