Computer-Based Heart Failure Education

This interactive computer-based intervention educates patients about heart failure. Participants in the program receive individualized education about physiology, heart failure, symptoms, symptom monitoring, and lifestyle changes from a heart failure nurse. Following the nurse-led educational session, patients use an interactive computer-based educational program on knowledge, compliance, and quality of life in heart failure patients. The program emphasizes differences between genders. The computer program is made up of seven modules covering educational topics on heart failure followed by a self-test. The program takes 30-45 minutes to complete, and is designed for elderly persons with large, clear illustrations and buttons controlled via a touch-screen.

The goal of this program is to improve patient's knowledge about heart failure.

In a randomized controlled trial, a control group receiving standard education was compared to a group receiving standard education and the additional computer-based education. Knowledge was increased in both groups after one month with a trend toward higher knowledge in the computer-based group (p = 0.07). The increase in knowledge was significantly higher in the computer-based group after 6 months (p = 0.03). No differences were found between groups with regard to compliance with treatment, self-care, or quality of life.