Examining the self care management in individuals with heart failure and the effect of nursing care and follow-up program on patient outcomes

Objective: The objective of this study is to examine the self-care management in individuals with heart failure and the effect of nursing care and follow-up program on "self-care, quality of life and rehospitalization". Method: The study was conducted in two stages as qualitative and quantitative. The conceptual framework of the study consisted of the "Theory of Heart Failure Self Care" that was developed by Riegel and Dickson (2008). In the qualitative study; The sample consisted of individuals older than 18 who had heart failure (n: 24). The data were collected via the "in depth interview" method using the "semi-structured interview form" and were evaluated with the "content analysis". In the quantitative study; Experimental study design was used and it was conducted as a randomized controlled study. The study sample consisted of 90 individuals with heart failure (45 intervention and 45 comparison). Nursing care and follow-up program was applied to the intervention group. The data were collected in the baseline, third and sixth months. Self Care of Heart Failure Index and Left Ventricular Dysfunction Scale were used as data collection tools and the hospitalization was evaluated either by inquiring the individuals or using the hospital records. Results: As a result of the qualitative study; Two themes were suggested as facilitators and barries. In the quantitative study; self care and quality of life scores were statistically significant differences between the intervention and comparison group. As a result of comparing the intervention and comparison groups according to their hospitalization, we determined a significant difference in the baseline - third months and no significant difference in the third - sixth months. Conclucion: The results show that the nursing care and follow-up program being applied to individuals with heart failure improves the self-care and quality of life and decreases the rehospitalization. Keywords: Heart Failure, Self Care, Quality of Life, Rehospitalization, Nursing.