Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 7, 2026

E-Patient Counseling Trial (E-PACO): Computer Based Education versus Nurse Counseling for Patients to Prepare for Colonoscopy
Published on: August 1, 2019
A group-based multi-professional education programme for family members of patients with chronic heart failure:
Caroline Löfvenmark1, Monica Rydell Karlsson, Magnus Edner
1Karolinska Institutet, Department of Clinical Sciences, Danderyd Hospital, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stockholm, Sweden. caroline.lofvenmark@shh.se
Objective:
The aim was to investigate if family members of patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) increased knowledge about CHF through a group-based multi-professional educational programme and whether there was an effect on patients' health care utilization.
Methods:
Family members (n=128) were randomly assigned to intervention-group (IG) who received CHF education programme or control-group (CG) who received information according to hospital routines. Programme effects were evaluated with CHF knowledge questionnaire, patient readmissions and number of days hospitalised during 18 months.
Results:
Knowledge about CHF increased in both groups, significantly higher in IG at second assessment (IG 16±1.9 vs. CG 14.9±2.1, p=0.006), and knowledge maintained at third assessment. In IG 17 patients were re-admitted at least once and 28 patients in CG due to CHF (p=0.085). There were no differences in frequency of readmissions or number of days hospitalised.
Conclusion:
A group-based multi-professional education programme increased family members' knowledge about CHF. Despite this, effect on patient's health care utilization could not be seen during follow-up period.
Practical Implications:
We suggest that CHF education programmes for family members should be provided at clinics, with information preferably repeated 2-3 times during a period of six months to maintain knowledge level.
Related Concept Videos
Cardiomyopathy V: Interprofessional Care
Coronary Artery Disease V: Interprofessional Care
Peripheral Artery Disease III: Interprofessional Care
Heart Failure VII: Nursing Interventions
Cardiomyopathy VI: Nursing Management
Chronic Kidney Disease III: Interprofessional Care