Abstract P165: Is Knowledge Given, Knowledge Gained? American Heart Association Heart Failure Protocols and Educational Content within the Intel® Health Guide System

Abstract

Background: The value of telemonitoring on improved knowledge about what heart failure (HF) means and HF self-care, and the association of this knowledge with rehospitalization is unknown. Methods: In a small pilot sample, change in HF knowledge and accuracy of beliefs about HF were examined before/after a 60-day monitoring period with the Intel Health Guide System (HGS), a remote patient (pt) monitoring system deployed with AHA HF protocols and pt education. Pts were self-selected and met home care services criteria. After HGS training, pts could assess educational content in scheduled sessions or independently. HF knowledge was assessed using a 20-item true/false HF knowledge test (score range =0-100%) and accuracy of HF beliefs was assessed using a 14-item survey; mean score ≥ 3.0 reflects accurate HF beliefs based on contemporary medical knowledge. Rehospitalization data were collected post monitoring. Results: Of 26 home-bound pts with HF, 62% NYHA Class II/ 29% Class III, mean age 75.2 ±10.1 years, 61.5% women and 39% African Americans. Baseline (n=25) and follow-up (n=22) HF knowledge scores were 74% ± 13% and 76% ± 11%; mean HF knowledge change was 0.032 (95% CI, -0.034, 0.097), P =0.32. Of knowledge survey items, 8 of 20 trended toward improved scores after HGS services; most notably, knowledge on thirst and drinking fluids score increased from 40.9% to 63.6% correct ( P =0.095). Baseline and follow-up mean HF illness beliefs scores were 2.75 ± 0.33 and 2.95 ± 0.35, respectively; mean HF beliefs change, 0.208 (95% CI, 0.044, 0.372); P =0.015 (non-paired). Belief about HF being chronic vs. episodic trended up in score: 2.48 to 2.83 ( P =0.056). In pts with HF beliefs above the group mean, there was a trend toward less rehospitalization for HF (0 vs. 4 HF rehospitalization, P =0.105). There were no differences in HF rehospitalization based on HF knowledge scores above and below the mean, P =1.00. Conclusions: In a small sample of home-bound pts recently hospitalized for HF, HF knowledge was moderately strong at baseline but HF beliefs were inaccurate. After using the HGS system, mean HF beliefs scores increased in accuracy. Further study in a larger sample is needed to learn the utility of HGS services on pt knowledge, beliefs, and their association with rehospitalization. Funding(This research has received full or partial funding support from the American Heart Association, National Center)