AN ASSESSMENT INTO THE CONSISTENT  EFFECT OF NURSE-LED EDUCATION ON SELF-CARE BEHAVIOR AND DISEASE KNOWLEDGE IN HEART FAILURE PATIENTS

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of the study

One of the most common cardiovascular conditions, chronic heart failure has a significant risk of repeated hospital admissions [Chioncel et al, 2017]. If well implemented, medical therapy for heart failure is extremely effective in reducing symptoms, rehospitalizations, and death. However, strict self-care routines and high patient adherence to medication therapy are essential for the effectiveness of medical treatment. According to current recommendations, a multidisciplinary team should provide sufficient patient education in order to accomplish self-care goals [Ponikowski et al, 2016]. Prior research has demonstrated that patient education enhances clinical outcome measures in chronic heart failure patients. Time restrictions, however, frequently prevent the doctor treating the patient from receiving appropriate education. According to reports, one alternative to improve patient self-care and adherence to medical treatment is structured instruction led by a skilled nurse [Kuin, Yee, & Ping, 2020]. The majority of these research have focused on helping heart failure patients take better care of themselves. Scales like the European Heart Failure Self-Care Behaviour Scale (EHFScB-9) have been used to measure self-care and improvements in self-care [Asthana et al, 2018]. Supplemental education about heart failure may be able to alleviate non-compliance with patient self-care behaviour. There is very little information on prospective educational needs outside of self-care. More research is needed, especially on how well patients understand their condition and how an organised educational program affects these areas as well as patient self-care. Moreover, nothing is known about the long-term impact of a one-time training session on patient self-care practices and illness awareness during follow-up. However, the result for patients will only be affected by continuous improvements in understanding. This study integrated both factors, which is different from other research that either focused on illness knowledge or self-care behaviour. Moreover, a longitudinal approach was employed to evaluate the potential lasting impact of a single instructional session. Therefore, the researcher sought to investigate the consistent  effect of nurse-led education on self-care behavior and disease knowledge in heart failure patients

1.2 Statement of the problem

Research has demonstrated that patient self-care behaviour and illness awareness in heart failure (HF) patients are consistently improved by nurse-led education. The goal of these educational interventions is to teach patients how to successfully manage their conditions by adhering to their drug regimen, changing their lifestyle, and identifying early indicators of worsening. Research suggests that nurse-led initiatives improve patients' capacity to track symptoms, control fluid intake, and adhere to treatment plans, all of which considerably lower the risk of readmissions to hospitals (Jaarsma et al., 2020). Additionally, patients' comprehension of heart failure and associated implications is improved by nurse-led education. Through the implementation of a planned education program, nurses may better educate their patients about their conditions and equip them with the tools they need to take charge of their own self-care routines (Riley et al., 2021).According to research, this strategy improves overall health outcomes by increasing illness knowledge and promoting long-term behavioural change (McAlister et al., 2019). Hence, the need to  investigate the consistent  effect of nurse-led education on self-care behavior and disease knowledge in heart failure patients.

1.3 Objective of the study

The broad objective of the study is to investigate the consistent  effect of nurse-led education on self-care behavior and disease knowledge in heart failure patients. The specific objectives is as follows

To assess nurses knowledge of self-care behavior and disease knowledge of patients with chronic heart failure

To evaluate the impact of nurse-led education on improving self-care behaviors in heart failure patients

To assess the effectiveness of nurse-led education in enhancing disease knowledge among heart failure patients.

To determine the role of nurse-led education in reducing hospital readmissions for heart failure patients.

1.4 Research questions

The following questions have been prepared to guide the study

Do nurses have knowledge of self-care behavior and disease knowledge of patients with chronic heart failure?

What is the impact of nurse-led education on improving self-care behaviors in heart failure patients?

How effective is nurse-led education in enhancing disease knowledge among heart failure patients?

What is the role of nurse-led education in reducing hospital readmissions for heart failure patients?

1.5 Significance of the study

Findings of the study will provide healthcare policymakers and practitioners with evidence-based insights on the value of integrating nurse-led education into standard care protocols. Revealling the long-term impact of such educational interventions may inform strategies to optimize healthcare resources, reduce costs, and improve patient satisfaction. Findings of the study will also be significant to the academic community as it will contribute to the existing literature, add to library resources and serve as a guide to future academic researchers.

1.6 Scope of the study

The study focus on the consistent  effect of nurse-led education on self-care behavior and disease knowledge in heart failure patients.  Empirically, the study will assess nurses knowledge of self-care behavior and disease knowledge of patients with chronic heart failure, evaluate the impact of nurse-led education on improving self-care behaviors in heart failure patients, assess the effectiveness of nurse-led education in enhancing disease knowledge among heart failure patients and determine the role of nurse-led education in reducing hospital readmissions for heart failure patients.

Geographically, the study will be delimited to University teaching hospital(UNIMED) Akure, Ondo State.

1.7 Limitation of the study

Like in every human endeavour, the researchers encountered slight constraints while carrying out the study. The significant constraint are: 

Time: The researcher encountered time constraint as the researcher had to carry out this research along side other academic activities such as attending lectures and other educational activities required of her.

Finance: The researcher incurred more financial expenses in carrying out this study such as typesetting, printing, sourcing for relevant materials, literature, or information and in the data collection process.

Availability of Materials: The researcher encountered challenges in sourcing for literature in this study. The scarcity of literature on the subject due to the nature of the discourse was a limitation to this study.

1.8 Definition of terms

Nurse-led education: A healthcare intervention where nurses provide structured education to patients on managing their disease, focusing on improving self-care behaviors, disease understanding, and health outcomes.

Self-care behavior: The actions and practices patients engage in to manage their heart failure condition, such as medication adherence, symptom monitoring, dietary changes, and lifestyle modifications.

Heart failure: A chronic medical condition in which the heart is unable to pump blood efficiently, leading to symptoms like fatigue, shortness of breath, and fluid retention.

Disease knowledge: The level of understanding patients have about heart failure, including its causes, symptoms, treatment options, and the importance of adhering to medical advice.

Hospital readmissions: The occurrence of a patient being admitted to the hospital again within a certain time frame after discharge, often due to complications or worsening of their heart failure condition.

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