Evaluating a web-based self-management intervention in patients with heart failure: A pilot study

This pilot study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of a web-based self-management intervention in patients with heart failure. The study consisted of two phases including developing the web-based application and examining its feasibility in a group of heart failure patients. The results of this study were consistent with the current literature which has failed to show the benefits of web-based interventions for chronic disease self-management. In the current thesis, therefore, issues influencing the effectiveness of the web-based interventions were analysed. Recommendations for improving effectiveness of the web-based applications were also provided

Evaluating a web-based self-management intervention in heart failure patients: A pilot study

Background - Web-based interventions may have the potential to support self-care in patients with chronic disease, yet little is known about the feasibility of Web-based interventions in patients with heart failure (HF). Objective - The objective of our study was to develop and pilot a Web-based self-care intervention for patients with HF. Methods - Following development and pretesting, we pilot tested a Web-based self-care intervention using a randomized controlled design. A total of 28 participants completed validated measures of HF knowledge, self-care, and self-efficacy at baseline and 1-month follow-up. Results - Change scores and effect size estimates showed that the mean differences in HF knowledge (d = 0.06), self-care (d = 0.32), and self-efficacy (d = 0.37) were small. Despite email reminders, 7 of 14 participants (50%) of the sample accessed the site daily and 4 of 14 (28%) had no record of access. Conclusions - Larger randomized controlled trials are needed that attend to all sources of self-efficacy and include more comprehensive educational tools to improve patient outcomes

Validity and reliability of the Persian version of the Short‐Form Adolescent Health Promotion scale: Methodological study

Abstract Background and Aim Assessing health promotion among adolescents is vital to identify healthy and unhealthy behaviors and to evaluate health promotion interventions. This study aimed to determine the validity and reliability of the Persian version of the Short‐Form Adolescent Health Promotion scale. Methods Three hundred and twenty‐seven adolescents were recruited through a multistage sampling method in this methodological study. The original version of the Adolescent Health Promotion scale was translated from English to Persian using the Backward–Forward translation protocol. Then, the scale's validity and reliability, including the face, content, construct validity, and reliability indices, were evaluated. The statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software version 24. Results The mean CVI and CVR were 0.99. The exploratory factor analysis revealed four factors covering 42.57% of the total variance. The factor loading order of the items did not exactly correspond to the order obtained in the English version of the scale's validity and reliability analysis. The obtained factors called included: life appreciation, stress management, nutrition, and health responsibility. In the current study, both Cronbach's ɑ and the intraclass correlation coefficient were calculated at 0.84 and 0.99. Conclusion The Persian version of the Adolescent Health Promotion scale developed in the present study is acceptable for the validity of the content, face, and reliability. However, the construct validity of this scale should be checked in other samples

Integrated chronic disease nurse practitioner service: Evaluation final report

Executive Summary Queensland University of Technology (QUT) was contracted to conduct an evaluation of an integrated chronic disease nurse practitioner service conducted at Meadowbrook Primary Care Practice. This evaluation is a collaborative project with nurse practitioners (NP) from Logan Hospital. The integrated chronic disease nurse practitioner service is an outpatient clinic for patients with two or more chronic diseases, including chronic kidney disease (CKD), heart failure (HF), diabetes (type I or II). This document reports on the first 12 months of the service (4th June, 2014 to 25th May, 2015). During this period: • 55 patients attended the NP clinic with 278 occasions of service provided • Almost all (95.7%) patients attended their scheduled appointments (only 4.3% did not attend an appointment) • Since attending the NP clinic, the majority of patients (77.6%) had no emergency department visits related to their chronic disease; only 3 required hospital admission. • 3 patients under the service were managed with Hospital In the Home which avoided more than 25 hospital bed days • 41 patients consented to join a prospective cohort study of patient-reported outcomes and patient satisfaction • 14 patient interviews and 3 stakeholder focus groups were also conducted to provide feedback on their perceptions of the NP-led service innovation. The report concludes with seven recommendations