Heart failure: assessment and comparison of disease knowledge in outpatient vs. hospitalized patients

Abstract

Objective: to evaluate and compare the knowledge of the disease among patients with heart failure (HF) in a hospital specialized in cardiology. Method: this is a cross-sectional study. A validated questionnaire about knowledge of disease was applied, as well as sociodemographic data and a cognitive assessment questionnaire. The patients were divided into two groups, those of the HF outpatient clinic (OC) and those hospitalized in the inpatient units (IU). Patients who scored between 51-57 points (score) had a great knowledge rating. Results: the sample was 98 patients, 49 in OC and 49 in IU, mostly male, mean age 62 ± 14 years. In OC, 51% had acceptable level of knowledge and in IU, 55% had poor knowledge. Conclusion: the knowledge of HF among outpatients and inpatients was different and suboptimal. Education activities developed by the multiprofessional team can contribute to better knowledge of the disease.

Keywords

• insuficiência cardíaca
• conhecimento
• enfermagem