Effect of training and post discharge follow-up on self- care behavior of patients with ischemic heart disease

Lack of adequate information related to disease and self- care after discharge leads to poor self-care, readmissions and low quality of life for patients. This study aimed to investigate the effect of training and post discharge follow-up on self- care behavior of patients with ischemic heart disease.
In this single blind randomized clinical control trial study (2015), 90 patients with ischemic heart disease hospitalized at Cardiac Care Units and were divided in 1 control group and 2 intervention groups by Block random allocation method. Control group received only usual training for discharge. One intervention group received usual post discharge training and call follow- up for 1 month. Another intervention group received complete training package and comprehensive follow-up for 1 month. Valid and reliable Miller self-care behavior tool for patients with cardiovascular diseases were used for data collection. They were completed at discharge day, 15 and 30 days after discharge for each patient.
In complete training package group with comprehensive follow-up, means of self-care score were 60.2 ± 13.6, 87.6± 6.5 and 86.9± 8.9 at discharge day, 15 and 30 day, respectively. Means of self-care score in usual post discharge training and call follow up were 64.7 ± 19, 82.9± 8.6 and 80.9± 9.5 at discharge day, 15 and 30 days, respectively. In control group, means of score were 69.6 ± 10.7, 82.6±6.2 and 78± 10.8 at discharge day, 15 and 30 days, respectively.
Results showed that self-care score was increased following 15 days and was decreased after 30 days. This reduction was subtle in the group receiving comprehensive training package with follow-up and reflects the impact of this program on the continuation of self-care.