The impact of sense of coherence on quality of life and self-care ability after an interactive patient education programme for patients with heart failure

Abstract

Rationale, aims and objectives: Patient education is most commonly implemented in the follow-up of heart failure patients to enhance self-care ability. Results sometimes differ between studies and it is suggested that the patients’ personal characteristics should be considered when evaluating patient education. The aim was to explore whether a person’s degree of sense of coherence (SOC) was related to quality of life (QoL) and self-care ability as outcomes of an interactive patient education programme. Methods: A descriptive design was used and an interactive patient education programme was implemented as a complement to routine care. The 13-item SOC Scale, the Quality of Life Index Questionnaire (QLI) and the European Heart Failure Self-care Behaviour Scale (EHFScBS) were used as measurements. Fifty-seven patients participated at baseline, 3- and 12 month follow-up. Results: There were no significant correlations (p = 0.45-0.66) between the degree of SOC and scores on the EHFScBS. The degree of SOC correlated significantly (r = 0.36-0.46, p = 0.001-0.006) with the QLI scores indicating that the higher the SOC, the higher the QoL. The SOC and QLI scores remained stable (p = 0.94 and 0.25-0.89 respectively) throughout the study period. The only self-care item that improved significantly was adherence to medication. Conclusions: The patients’ degree of SOC did not influence the outcomes but might be useful as to identify heart failure patients at risk of perceiving low QoL. The interactive patient education programme did not improve the patient’s total self-care ability or quality of life.