Caregiver coaching program effect: Reducing heart failure patient rehospitalizations and improving caregiver outcomes among African Americans

(1) Test whether FamHFcare intervention could reduce patients' heart failure (HF)-related rehospitalizations and improve family caregiver outcomes; (2) calculate effect size on caregiver outcomes; and (3) evaluate the FamHFcare.

Few interventions target family caregivers for HF home care.

This study was a mixed method design with stratification and random assignment of 20 African American HF patient/caregiver dyads. Descriptive, univariate parametric/non-parametric, and post-hoc analyses were used.

At 6 months, compared to standard care, the intervention group had significantly fewer HF rehospitalizations (M-W z = -1.8, p = 0.03), while caregiver confidence (M-W z = 2.8, p = 0.003) and social support scores (M-W z = 2.4, p = 0.01) were significantly higher, and caregiver depression (M-W z = -2.4, p = 0.01) were significantly lower. Caregivers rated the FamHFcare as helpful (M = 46.8 ± 4.1).

The FamHFcare intervention was associated with fewer HF patient rehospitalizations and improved caregiver outcomes.