Impact of nursing systematic education on disease knowledge and self-care at a heart failure clinic in Brazil: prospective an interventional study

Abstract

The aim of this prospective and experimental study was to evaluate the impact of nursing systematic education on disease knowledge and self-care at a Heart Failure Clinic in Brazil. Prior to the nurse’s appointment, all patients answered a structured questionnaire concerning the knowledge of the disease and self-care. After 4 appointments, the same patients answered the same questionnaire. This present study suggests that systematic education with nurses increase the knowledge about the disease and self-care. This approach together with others strategies could decrease decompensation episodes and consequently improve quality of life for heart failure patients.

Keywords

• Congestive heart failure, nursing, patient education, knowledge, self care.