Self-Care Interventions That Reduce Hospital Readmissions in Patients With Heart Failure; Towards the Identification of Change Agents

Influence of Neighborhood Disadvantage and Individual Sociodemographic Conditions on Heart Failure Self-care

BACKGROUND

Residence in socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhoods and individual sociodemographic conditions contribute to worse heart failure (HF) outcomes and may influence HF self-care. However, associations between neighborhood disadvantage, socioeconomic conditions, and HF self-care are unclear.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this secondary analysis was to investigate whether neighborhood disadvantage and individual socioeconomic conditions predicted worse HF self-care.

METHODS

This study was a secondary analysis of baseline data from a mixed-method study of 82 adults with HF. Participant zip codes were assigned a degree of neighborhood disadvantage using the Area Deprivation Index. Those in the top 20% most disadvantaged neighborhoods (Area Deprivation Index ≥ 80) were compared with those in the least disadvantaged neighborhoods. The Self-Care of Heart Failure Index was used to measure self-care maintenance and monitoring. Multiple linear regression was conducted.

RESULTS

Of all participants, 59.8% were male, 59.8% were persons of color, and the mean age was 64.87 years. Residing in a disadvantaged neighborhood and living alone predicted worse HF self-care maintenance and monitoring. Having no college education was also a predictor of worse HF self-care maintenance. Although persons of color were more likely to reside in disadvantaged neighborhoods, race was not associated with HF self-care.

CONCLUSION

Residing in a disadvantaged neighborhood and living alone may be important risk factors for worse HF self-care. Differences in self-care cannot be attributed solely to the individual sociodemographic determinants of race, gender, age, annual household income, or marital status. More research is needed to understand the connection between neighborhood disadvantage and HF self-care.

Historical Gaps in the Integration of Patient-Centric Self-Management Components in HFrEF Interventions: An Umbrella Narrative Review

Background: Chronic disease self-management (CDSM) interventions have shown promise in improving patient outcomes in heart failure (HF), particularly for those with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Patient-centric self-management programs often incorporate key components such as education, self-monitoring, and goal setting. However, the extent to which these components are consistently reported and integrated into studies remains unclear. This umbrella narrative review aims to analyze systematic reviews to assess the consistency of reporting on patient-centric self-management components implemented in trials and studies. Methods: This umbrella narrative review synthesized findings from systematic reviews and meta-analyses published between 2000 and 2023 for CDSM tools in HF. Eligible studies were assessed for the presence and consistency of reporting on education, self-monitoring, and goal setting in self-management interventions for HFrEF. Data extraction focused on the frequency of reporting these components and the gaps in reporting long-term patient outcomes. Results: Among the included systematic reviews, education was the most consistently reported component (100%), while self-monitoring and goal setting were each reported in around 50% of studies. Reporting of long-term outcomes, such as mortality and quality of life, was highly variable and often absent. These inconsistencies highlight significant gaps in the evidence base for CDSM interventions. Conclusions: This review identifies gaps in the consistent reporting of key CDSM components in systematic reviews of HFrEF interventions. The inconsistent inclusion of all three components together and limited reporting of long-term outcomes may hinder the development of a robust evidence base for the adoption of these tools in HF guidelines. Future studies should prioritize comprehensive reporting to strengthen the foundation for patient-centric self-management strategies in HF care. PROSPERO registration number CRD42023431539.

Drivers and barriers to promoting self-care in individuals living with multiple long-term health conditions: a cross-sectional online survey of health and care professionals

BACKGROUND

Self-care is an important part of preventing unwarranted decline in poor health linked to multimorbidity and in maintaining or improving health. Health and social care professionals provide support for self-care, which can positively influence health and care outcomes. It is important to understand the extent to which they perceive their support to be effective and what barriers to its uptake and desired outcomes exist. This study investigated the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of front-line staff in England concerning drivers and barriers to promoting self-care in service users with multimorbidity.

METHODS

A cross-sectional online survey was administered via the Imperial College Qualtrics platform. Questions were asked about perceived drivers and barriers to promoting self-care in individuals with multimorbidity, including mental health. The quality of the survey was assessed by completing the Checklist for Reporting Results of internet E-Surveys (CHERRIES).

RESULTS

Extant barriers associated with service-users' ability and opportunity for self-care identified by seventy H&SCPs in England were feelings of loneliness and social isolation (18.9%; n = 54) and mobility and access issues (14.3%; n = 41). The methods most commonly used to support self-care were social prescribing (18%; n = 55), helping service users monitor their symptoms (15.4%;n = 47), and referring to recognised programmes to support self-management (14.1%; n = 43). The factors most identified as positively affecting service users to self-care included knowledge and understanding about the benefits of self-care (92.5%; n = 62), support to improve limitations caused by a health condition (92.5% n = 62), and support to improve mental health and wellbeing (91% n = 61). Gaps in H&SCPs knowledge were reported, including how to improve practical interactions to sustain health seeking behaviours by service users (32.2%; n = 48), health coaching (21.5%; n = 32), and knowledge about effective self-care interventions (20.1%; n = 30). Most respondents (92.9%; n = 64) reported that the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for self-care, and 44.9%(n = 31) agreed that the pandemic had a positive impact on their ability to promote self-care among service users.

CONCLUSIONS

Self-care is important for service users who live with multimorbidity. H&SCPs identified loneliness, social isolation, mobility and access to services, and support in understanding or complying with a medical regimen as key obstacles to self-care for service users. Extant barriers identified by H&SCPs were associated with service users' ability and opportunity to sustain self-care, especially relating to feelings of loneliness and experiences of social isolation, mobility and access issues.

Influence of Sex and Gender on Adherence to Self-care Behaviors for Cardiovascular Disease Risk Management in the Global Context: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Adherence to self-care behaviors can prevent or delay adverse outcomes associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Sex and socioculturally constructed gender might impact individuals' ability to adhere to healthy lifestyles.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to systematically identify, evaluate, and synthesize the literature on the influence of sex and gender on adherence to self-care behaviors for CVD risk management in the global context.

METHODS

We searched the MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, and Global Health Databases for peer-reviewed original articles published between 2013 and 2023. We selected studies that investigated self-care behaviors, self-care maintenance, or self-care management as outcomes and reported sex- and gender-related factors (such as education level, employment status, and marital status). The data were synthesized in a narrative form.

RESULTS

The search identified 3540 studies, 52 of which met the inclusion criteria for full-text review. Global North countries accounted for 55% of all the studies. Self-reported questionnaire scores were used in most of the studies (n = 47). Better self-care was associated with being a woman (n = 17), attaining a higher education level (n = 15), and having higher perceived social support (n = 10). The associations between adherence to self-care behaviors and employment status, socioeconomic status, marital status, and household size were inconsistent.

CONCLUSIONS

Adherence to self-care behaviors for CVD risk management varied widely, based on gender-related factors. Further research is needed to use a consistent measure of self-care adherence behavior and integrate a wider range of gender-related factors.

Cytokine-mediated CAR T therapy resistance in AML

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a rapidly progressive malignancy without effective therapies for refractory disease. So far, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy in AML has not recapitulated the efficacy seen in B cell malignancies. Here we report a pilot study of autologous anti-CD123 CAR T cells in 12 adults with relapsed or refractory AML. CAR T cells targeting CD123+ cells were successfully manufactured in 90.4% of runs. Cytokine release syndrome was observed in 10 of 12 infused individuals (83.3%, 90% confidence interval 0.5-0.97). Three individuals achieved clinical response (25%, 90% confidence interval 0.07-0.53). We found that myeloid-supporting cytokines are secreted during cell therapy and support AML blast survival via kinase signaling, leading to CAR T cell exhaustion. The prosurvival effect of therapy-induced cytokines presents a unique resistance mechanism in AML that is distinct from any observed in B cell malignancies. Our findings suggest that autologous CART manufacturing is feasible in AML, but treatment is associated with high rates of cytokine release syndrome and relatively poor clinical efficacy. Combining CAR T cell therapies with cytokine signaling inhibitors could enhance immunotherapy efficacy in AML and achieve improved outcomes (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03766126 ).

Evaluating a New Short Self-Management Tool in Heart Failure Against the Traditional Flinders Program

Background/Objective: Heart failure (HF) is a complex syndrome, with multiple causes. Numerous pathophysiological pathways are activated. Comprehensive and guideline-derived care is complex. A multidisciplinary approach is required. The current guidelines report little evidence for chronic disease self-management (CDSM) programs for reducing readmission and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). CDSM programs can be complex and are not user-friendly in clinical settings, particularly for vulnerable patients. The aim of this study was to investigate whether a simplified one-page CDSM tool, the SCReening in Heart Failure (SCRinHF), is comparable to a comprehensive Flinders Program of Chronic Disease Management, specifically in triaging self-management capabilities and in predicting readmission and MACE. Methods:SELFMAN-HF is a prospective, observational study based on community cardiology. Eligible patients, consecutively recruited, had HF with left ventricular ejection fraction <40% and were placed on sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2-i) within 3 months of recruitment. SGLT2-i is the newest of the four HF treatment pillars; self-management skills are assessed at this juncture. CDSM was assessed and scored independently via the long-form (LF) and short-form (SF) tools, and concordance between forms was estimated. The primary endpoint is the 80% concordance across the two CDSM scales for predicting hospital readmission and MACE. Results: Of the 117 patients, aged 66.8 years (±SD 13.5), 88 (75%) were male. The direct comparisons for SF versus LF patient scores are as follows: "good self-managers", 13 vs. 30 patients (11.1% vs. 25.6%); "average", 46 vs. 21 patients (39.3% vs. 17.9%), "borderline", 20 vs. 31 patients (17.1% vs. 26.5%), and "poor self-managers" (vulnerable), 38 vs. 35 patients (32.5% vs. 29.9%). These findings underscore the possibility of SF tools in picking up patients whose scores infer poor self-management capabilities. This concordance of the SF with the LF scores for patients who have poor self-management capabilities (38 vs. 35 patients p = 0.01), alongside readmission (31/38 vs. 31/35 p = 0.01) or readmission risk for poor self-managers versus good self-managers (31/38 vs. 5/13 p = 0.01), validates the simplification of the CDSM tools for the vulnerable population with HF. Similarly, when concurrent and predictive validity was tested on 52 patients, the results were 39 (75%) for poor self-managers and 14 (27%) for good self-managers in both groups, who demonstrated significant correlations between SF and LF scores. Conclusions: Simplifying self-management scoring with an SF tool to improve clinical translation is justifiable, particularly for vulnerable populations. Poor self-management capabilities and readmission risk for poor self-managers can be significantly predicted, and trends for good self-managers are observed. However, correlations of SF to LF scores across an HF cohort for self-management abilities and MACE are more complex. Translation to patients of all skill levels requires further research.

Effects of education based on teach-back methods on self‑care and quality of life of the patients with heart failure: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

The role of nurses in educating patients with heart failure is crucial. To ensure effective nursing education, it is vital to integrate new strategies, especially for chronic diseases. The teach-back method (TBM) provides a fresh approach to engaging with patients, effectively overcoming communication barriers, and enhancing long-term educational outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to analyze how the implementation of the teach-back method influences the self-care and quality of life of patients living with heart failure.

METHODS

The systematic review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyzes (PRISMA) checklist. To ensure thoroughness, an extensive search was carried out across multiple online databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, Scopus, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, and ProQuest. The search spanned from 2000 to August 2023 and employed Medical Subject Headings (MESH) as the basis for keyword selection. No limitations were placed on the language of the studies included in this review. We ensured the inclusion of all relevant articles by searching the gray literature and checking reference lists. Studies which conducted on adults aged ≥ 18 years and diagnosed with heart failure who were not critically ill, receiving dialysis, and waiting for cardiac device implantation was included. We considered all interventional studies. Two reviewers had independently conducted the risk of bias assessment using Cochrane tools. Finally, a narrative synthesis was implemented.

RESULTS

The preliminary search conducted in the databases mentioned above yielded a total of 1702 results. After meticulously going through the steps of study selection, a total of 9 studies involving 768 participants were ultimately chosen to be part of this study. Self-care was the subject of investigation in six studies, whereas quality of life was examined in three studies. The majority of studies indicate that the intervention under consideration had a significant impact on self-care. In relation to quality of life, one study failed to achieve statistically significant outcomes, potentially owing to its small sample size.

CONCLUSION

Our systematic review demonstrated that the teach-back method, as an innovative educational technique, holds potential for heart failure patients` education and counseling.

PRACTICAL VALUE

The teach-back approach confirms patient understanding. Patient understanding is confirmed through rephrasing the information in their own words.

PROTOCOL REGISTRATION

The study protocol was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) at the National Institute for Health Research (No: CRD42023446142).

Current approaches to preventing heart failure readmissions and decompensated disease

Heart failure is a resource-intensive condition to manage and typically involves a multi-disciplinary and multi-modality approach leading to an expensive treatment paradigm. It is worth noting that hospital admissions constitute over 80% of heart failure management costs. In the past two decades, healthcare systems have developed new ways of following patients remotely to prevent them from being readmitted to the hospital. However, despite these efforts, hospital admissions have still increased. Many successful readmission reduction programs prioritize education and self-care to increase patients' awareness of their disease and promote lasting lifestyle changes. While socioeconomic factors impact success, interventions tend to be effective when medication adherence and guideline-directed medical therapy are emphasized. Monitoring intracardiac pressure can improve resource allocation efficiency and has demonstrated significant reductions in readmissions with improved quality of life in outpatient and remote settings. Data from several studies focused on remote monitoring devices strongly suggest that understanding congestion using physiological biomarkers is an effective management strategy. Since most cases of heart failure are first presented in acute hospitalization settings, immediate access to intracardiac pressure for treatment and decision-making purposes could result in substantial management improvements. However, a notable technology gap needs to be addressed to enable this at a low cost with less reliability on scarce specialist care resources. Contemporary evidence is conclusive that direct hemodynamic are the vital signs in heart failure with the highest clinical utility. Therefore, future ability to obtain these insights reliably using non-invasive methods will be a paradigm-changing technology.

Effectiveness of self-management programmes for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: a systematic review protocol

INTRODUCTION

Chronic disease self-management (CDSM) is a vital component of congestive heart failure (CHF) programmes. Recent CHF guidelines have downgraded CDSM programmes citing a lack of gold-standard evidence. This protocol describes the aims and methods of a systematic review to collate and synthesise the published research evidence to determine the effectiveness of CDSM programmes and interventions for patients treated for CHF.

METHODS

Medline, PubMed, Embase, CENTRAL, CINAHL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PsycINFO, SCOPUS, Web of Science, the Science Citation Index and registers of clinical trials will be searched from 1966 to 2024. In addition, the reference lists of shortlisted articles will be reviewed. Randomised controlled trials, with case management interventions of CDSM and CHF with reported major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs), will be extracted and analysed. There is no restriction on language. Study protocol template developed from Cochrane Collaboration and Reporting adheres to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocol guidelines for systematic review and meta-analyses 2020. Two independent authors will apply inclusions and exclusion criteria to limit article search and assess bias and certainty of evidence rating. Data extraction and study description of included studies will include quality appraisal of studies and quantitative synthesis of data will then be undertaken to ascertain evidence for the study aims. Subgroup analyses will be conducted for different CDSM programmes. The primary outcome will be a significant change in MACE parameters between intervention and control arms. Meta-analysis will be conducted using statistical software, if feasible.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethics approval is not sought as the study is not collecting primary patient data. The results of this study will be disseminated through peer-reviewed scientific journals and also presented to audiences through meetings and scientific conferences.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42023431539.

The Efficacy of Self-care Behaviors, Educational Interventions, and Follow-up Strategies on Hospital Readmission and Mortality Rates in Patients with Heart Failure

Heart failure (HF), a worldwide epidemic with significant morbidity and mortality risks, is frequently secondary to cardiovascular disorders and probably is the common final way to survive patients. Almost 25% of hospitalized patients with acute HF are expected to be readmitted within 30 days post-discharge, and the rates of rehospitalization increase to almost one-third at 60 days and 60 percent within one year of discharge. Although care planning for patients with heart failure is complex, multidisciplinary, and resource-dependent, optimal self-care management along with appropriate educational intervention and follow-up strategy could be able to reduce readmissions, decline the duration of hospitalization, increase life expectancy, decrease the rates of mortality, and reduce costs of healthcare services for patients with HF. However, there are contradictions in previous reports about the efficacy of self-care, mainly due to patients' non-adherence to self-care behaviors. Therefore, the current study aimed to review the investigations on the effectiveness of self-care of HF patients in reducing hospital readmissions and increasing quality of life, and discuss novel approaches for predischarge educational interventions and postdischarge follow-up strategies.

A randomized controlled trial evaluating a theory driven, complex intervention centered on task sharing and mobile health to improve selfcare and outcomes in heart failure - The PANACEA-HF RCT: Design and rationale

Background

We developed a three-pronged complex intervention to improve selfcare and deliver whole person care for patients with heart failure, underpinned by the 'extant cycle' theory - a theory based on our formative work.

Methods

This is a 3 centre, 2-arm, 1:1, open, adaptive stratified, randomized controlled trial. We included patients aged ≥ 18 years with heart failure, taking any of the key guideline directed medical treatments, with a history of or currently on a high ceiling diuretic. We excluded end stage renal disease, clinically diagnosed severe mental illness or cognitive dysfunction and having no caregivers. Interventions included, (i) trained hospital based lay health worker mediated assessment of patients' current selfcare behaviour, documenting barriers and facilitators and implementing a plan to 'transition' the patient toward optimal selfcare. (ii) m-health mediated remote monitoring and (iii) dose optimization through a 'physician supervisor'.

Results

We recruited 301 patients between Jan 2021 and Jan 2022. Mean age was 59.8 (±11.7) years, with 195 (64.8 %) from rural or semi-urban areas and 67.1 % having intermediate to low health literacy. 190 (63.1 %) had an underlying ischemic cardiomyopathy. In the intervention arm, 142 (94.1 %) had a Selfcare in Heart Failure Index (SCHFI) score of ≤70, with significant barriers being 'lack of knowledge' 105 (34.5 %) and 'behavioural passivity' 23 (7.5 %).

Conclusion

This is the first South Asian trial evaluating a complex intervention underpinned by behaviour change theory for whole person heart failure care. These learnings can be applied to heart failure patient care in other resource constrained health systems.

Can a Targeted Social Media Campaign Increase Reach of, and Engagement With, Heart Failure Self-Management Resources in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities in Victoria, Australia? An Evaluation Including Cost

AIM

This study investigates whether a targeted social media campaign increases reach and engagement of heart failure self-management educational resources among culturally and linguistically diverse communities in Victoria, Australia.

METHODS

A targeted six-week Facebook social media campaign (from 3 October 2022 to 13 November 2022) was performed using the Precision Public Health Framework. Animated heart failure educational videos were developed, translated, and publicised among Mandarin-, Vietnamese- and English-speaking communities in Victoria, Australia. Data from Facebook, Google Analytics and social marketing costs were analysed. An independent, two sample t-test was applied to investigate differences in the performance (views and cost-per-click) of the English and translated Mandarin and Vietnamese social media campaigns. Webpage views (of the promoted heart failure webpage) during the campaign were compared to the same period 12 months prior.

RESULTS

A total of 664,434 English and 182,294 translated Vietnamese and Mandarin video advertisements were placed and seen in individuals' social media feeds (impressions) over the six weeks. Per capita reach was proportionally higher for Vietnamese and Mandarin video advertisements (54% versus 15%). The percentage of those who watched the educational video in the social media posts, for at least 15 seconds (a 'ThruPlay'), was significantly higher in Mandarin and Vietnamese-speaking communities (75% versus 40% among the English-speaking community p<0.0001). However, those viewing in English had significantly longer engagement and watched at least half of the video (2.5% versus Vietnamese and Mandarin viewers (0.31%), p<0.0001). The click-through rate and cost-per-click were significantly higher for the translated social media posts compared with the English (0.77% vs 0.62%, p=0.0185 and AUD$4.48 vs AUD$3.22, p<0.0001).

CONCLUSION

A targeted six-week Facebook social media campaign using translated video animations in Vietnamese and Mandarin had significantly higher reach, initial views (first 15 seconds) and higher click-through rates, but fewer views of at least half of the video, compared with the Facebook English videos. Higher costs-per-click were associated with the translated campaign. Further research is needed to understand the extent that social media translated campaigns can influence health behaviour.

Spanish version of the self-care self-efficacy scale: A validation study in community-dwelling older adults with chronic multimorbidity

OBJECTIVE

To test the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Self-Care Self-Efficacy Scale (SCSES-Sp) in community-dwelling older adults with chronic multimorbidity.

METHODS

A sample of 1013 community-dwelling older adults with chronic multimorbidity participated in an observational cross-sectional study that was carried out in 3 phases.

RESULTS

Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the SCSES-Sp has 4 dimensions: "self-efficacy in self-care behaviours based on clinical knowledge", "self-efficacy in self-care maintenance", "self-efficacy in self-care monitoring", and "self-efficacy in self-care management". A panel of independent experts considered the content of the SCSES-Sp valid. Convergent validity analysis showed moderate-strong correlations between all of the SCSES-Sp's dimensions and the reference criteria chosen. Reliability was good for the SCSES-Sp and all its dimensions. Test-retest reliability analysis showed that the SCSES-Sp was temporally stable.

CONCLUSIONS

The SCSES-Sp is a valid and reliable tool to assess self-efficacy in self-care in Spanish-speaking, community-dwelling older adults with chronic multimorbidity.

One-year trajectories of self-care behaviours and unplanned hospital readmissions among patients with heart failure: A prospective longitudinal study

AIM AND OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to identify the associations between longitudinal trajectories of self-care behaviours and unplanned hospital readmissions in patients with heart failure.

BACKGROUND

Adherence to self-care behaviours is crucial to prevent hospital readmissions; however, self-care behaviours remain unsatisfactory among patients with heart failure. Studies of long-term trajectories of self-care behaviours and their influence on hospital readmissions are limited in this population.

DESIGN

A prospective, longitudinal observational study.

METHODS

Among 137 participants with heart failure (mean age 67.36 years, 62% men), we analysed the 1-year follow-up data to determine the association between 1-year trajectories of self-care behaviours and hospital readmissions using Kaplan-Meier analysis and multivariable Cox regression, adjusted for confounding variables.

RESULTS

Self-care behaviour trajectories of heart failure patients were classified as 'high-stable' (58.4%) or 'low-sustained' (41.6%). The cumulative rate of readmissions for the low-sustained class was higher than that of the high-stable class for all periods. Factors influencing readmissions included anaemia, cognitive function, frailty and self-care behaviours trajectories. The low-sustained class had a 2.77 times higher risk of readmissions within 1 year than that in the high-stable class.

CONCLUSIONS

Longitudinal self-care behaviours pattern trajectories of heart failure patients were stratified as high-stable and low-sustained. Routine follow-up assessment of patients' self-care behavioural patterns, including anaemia and frailty, and cognitive function can minimise unplanned hospital readmissions.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Identification of trajectory patterns of self-care behaviours over time and provision of timely and individualised care can reduce readmissions for heart failure patients. Healthcare professionals should recognise the significance of developing tailored strategies incorporating longitudinal self-care behavioural patterns in heart failure patients.

REPORTING METHOD

The study has been reported in accordance with the STROBE checklist (Appendix S1).

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

Patients have completed a self-reported questionnaire after providing informed consent.

A Qualitative Study on the Self-Care Experiences of People with Heart Failure

We aimed to explore in-depth experiences and emotions of people with heart failure within the context of self-care. A qualitative descriptive study was conducted using semi-structured interviews. Ten patients were recruited from an outpatient clinic at a university-affiliated hospital in South Korea between September and November 2019. Data were analyzed using a thematic content analysis approach. Participants were 68-86 years old, and 80% were men. Five themes of the self-care experiences of persons with heart failure were identified: "Suddenly diagnosed with heart failure," "Unpredictable symptoms and unprepared for self-care," "Dependent on caring family on a heartbreaking uphill," "Self-care efforts with apprehension," and "Continued self-care efforts with expert help." Programs to support self-care for people with heart failure are needed and should be developed by incorporating patients' needs and reflecting their uncertainty and vulnerability.

Comparison of short and long forms of the Flinders program of chronic disease SELF-management for participants starting SGLT-2 inhibitors for congestive heart failure (SELFMAN-HF): protocol for a prospective, observational study

INTRODUCTION

Congestive heart failure (CHF) causes significant morbidity and mortality. It is an epidemic, and costs are escalating. CHF is a chronic disease whose trajectory includes stable phases, periods of decompensation, and finally palliation. Health services and medical therapies must match the various patient needs. Chronic disease self-management (CDSM) programmes that are patient-focused, identify problems and set actionable goals that appear as a logical, cost-friendly method to navigate patient journeys. There have been challenges in standardising and implementing CHF programmes.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

SELFMAN-HF is a prospective, observational study to evaluate the feasibility and validity of the SCRinHF tool, a one-page self-management and readmission risk prediction tool for CHF, with an established, comprehensive CDSM tool. Eligible patients will have CHF with left ventricular ejection fraction <40% and commenced sodium glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2-i) within 6 months of recruitment. The primary endpoint is the 80% concordance in readmission risk predicted by the SCRinHF tool. The study will recruit >40 patients and is expected to last 18 months.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This study has been approved by the St Vincent's ethics committee (approval no. LRR 177/21). All participants will complete a written informed consent prior to enrolment in the study. The study results will be disseminated widely via local and international health conferences and peer-reviewed publications.

Challenges and opportunities for increasing patient involvement in heart failure self-care programs and self-care in the post-hospital discharge period

BACKGROUND

People living with heart failure (HF) are particularly vulnerable after hospital discharge. An alliance between patient authors, clinicians, industry, and co-developers of HF programs can represent an effective way to address the unique concerns and obstacles people living with HF face during this period. The aim of this narrative review article is to discuss challenges and opportunities of this approach, with the goal of improving participation and clinical outcomes of people living with HF.

METHODS

This article was co-authored by people living with HF, heart transplant recipients, patient advocacy representatives, cardiologists with expertise in HF care, and industry representatives specializing in patient engagement and cardiovascular medicine, and reviews opportunities and challenges for people living with HF in the post-hospital discharge period to be more integrally involved in their care. A literature search was conducted, and the authors collaborated through two virtual roundtables and via email to develop the content for this review article.

RESULTS

Numerous transitional-care programs exist to ease the transition from the hospital to the home and to provide needed education and support for people living with HF, to avoid rehospitalizations and other adverse outcomes. However, many programs have limitations and do not integrally involve patients in the design and co-development of the intervention. There are thus opportunities for improvement. This can enable patients to better care for themselves with less of the worry and fear that typically accompany the transition from the hospital. We discuss the importance of including people living with HF in the development of such programs and offer suggestions for strategies that can help achieve these goals. An underlying theme of the literature reviewed is that education and engagement of people living with HF after hospitalization are critical. However, while clinical trial evidence on existing approaches to transitions in HF care indicates numerous benefits, such approaches also have limitations.

CONCLUSION

Numerous challenges continue to affect people living with HF in the post-hospital discharge period. Strategies that involve patients are needed, and should be encouraged, to optimally address these challenges.

Effects of multifaceted optimization management for chronic heart failure: a multicentre, randomized controlled study

AIMS

In recent years, we have developed the concept of 'clinical pathway based on integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine for the management of Chronic heart failure (CHF)'. The purpose of this study was to assess the implementation effects of multifaceted optimization management of chronic heart failure.

METHODS

A total of nine physicians in optimization group from nine research sites received multifaceted intervention (a 1-day training session on how to implement the optimization programme, a written optimization programme for CHF management, supervision from daily quality coordinator, and 1-monthly monitoring and feedback of performance measure) with respect to the management of CHF, comparing to nine physicians in control group who did not receive the aforementioned multifaceted intervention and diagnosed and treated CHF patients with conventional programme (usual care). After that, a total of 256 patients with CHF were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive optimization programme [integration of usual care and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment] or conventional programme (usual care) for the treatment of CHF. The primary outcome was the change in New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification during 24 weeks of treatment.

RESULTS

When compared with usual care, multifaceted optimization management resulted in superior improvements in NYHA functional classification at the 12-week visit (P = 0.023), the 16-week, 20-week, and 24-week visits (P < 0.001). It also demonstrated superior performance in comparison with the conventional programme with respect to readmission rate for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs), readmission rate for worsening heart failure, plasma N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) level, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), patient TCM syndrome scores, quality of life, and patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) in optimization group more likely received beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors or ARBs than those in control group (P = 0.038 and P = 0.013, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

It is likely that the multifaceted optimization programme used in this study is feasible would benefit patients with CHF in NYHA functional classification, readmission for worsening heart failure, plasma NT-proBNP level, LVEF, patient TCM syndrome scores, and quality of life. Additionally, it would improve hospital personnel adherence to evidence-based performance measures for HFrEF.

Self-Care and Quality of Life Among Adult Patients With Heart Failure: Scoping Review

Introduction

Although self-care has a therapeutic effect on heart failure (HF), patients experience a marked reduction in physical and executive function, resulting in poor quality of life (QoL). A literature review revealed limited evidence regarding the possible relationship between self-care and QoL in HF patients. Therefore, this scoping review aimed to identify scientific evidence that examines the extent of self-care, QoL, and relationship between self-care and QoL in patients with HF.

Methods

Full-text research published from March 23, 2010, to March 23, 2020, written in English, that had content on both self-care and QoL among adult patients with HF was included. A literature search of electronic databases and web searches was conducted for published articles. Four databases were used: MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library. Studies collected from Google and Google Scholar web searches were also included.

Results

Of 1,537 papers identified by the search, 12 were included. The reviewed studies included 3,127 patients. Ten articles used a cross-sectional study design, whereas the remaining articles used a longitudinal and quasi-experimental design. This review found that the extent of self-care practices among patients with HF was inadequate, a significant proportion of patients enrolled in the reviewed studies had a moderate QoL, and higher self-care practices were associated with a better QoL. Self-care behavior and QoL were affected by social support, sex, age, educational level, place of residence, illness knowledge, presence of comorbidities, and functional classification of HF.

Conclusion

Self-care behavior was positively correlated with QoL in patients with HF. Self-care and QoL in these patients have been reported to be affected by several factors. Further research with a rigorous study design is recommended to investigate the influence of self-care practices on QoL in patients with HF.

"You Are By No Means Alone": A Netnographic Study of Self-Care Support in an Online Community for Older Adults

Online peer-to-peer communities provide environments in which people with similar health concerns can interact and exchange information that can support self-care of long-term conditions. However, current theories have not adequately accounted for how self-care support is enacted in online communities. We conducted an observational netnography to identify and analyze posts in a publicly accessible online community (discussion forum boards) designed for older people. A Straussian grounded theory approach was used to examine 659 posts in health-related message boards. Self-care support involved the construction of three interrelated identities: (1) the support seeking self, in which members described problems and requested information; (2) the empathizing self, in which they described similar experiences and offered support; and (3) the influencing self, in which they provided information or advice. Online communities appear to be an important source of peer support and information and may be a cost-effective approach to supplement standard care.

New Strategies to Prevent Rehospitalizations for Heart Failure

Purpose of review

Heart failure (HF) hospitalizations are common, costly, associated with poor outcomes and potentially avoidable. Reducing HF hospitalizations is therefore a major objective of US healthcare. This review aims to outline causes for HF hospitalizations and provides actionable strategies for HF hospitalization prevention.

Recent findings

Heart failure hospitalizations often have multifactorial and diverse etiologies associated with medical and social patient factors leading to increased congestion. The most recently updated American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology/Heart Failure Society of America Guidelines for the Management of HF were published in 2022 and utilize high-quality evidence to offer a framework for analyzing and preventing HF hospitalizations.

Summary

Prevention of hospitalizations can be achieved by optimizing guideline-directed medical therapies, incorporating appropriate device-based technologies, and utilizing systems-based practices. By identifying treatment gaps and opportunities for improved HF care, this review comprehensively defines the challenges associated with HF rehospitalizations as well as potential solutions.

A multicentric, 2 × 2 factorial, randomised, open-label trial to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of structured physical activity training and cognitive behavioural therapy versus usual care in heart failure patients: a protocol for the PACT-HF trial

Background: Heart failure (HF) is a multi-morbid chronic condition, which adversely affects the quality of life of the affected individual. Engaging the patient and their caregivers in self-care is known to reduce mortality, rehospitalisation and improve quality of life among HF patients. The PACT-HF trial will answer whether clinical benefits in terms of mortality and hospitalisation outcomes can be demonstrated by using a pragmatic design to explore the specific effects of physical activity, and cognitive behavioural therapy in HF patients in India. Methods: We will conduct a 2 × 2 factorial, randomized, open-label trial, which aims to see if rehabilitation strategies of structured physical activity training and cognitive behavioural therapy for depression and self-management reduce the risk of repeat hospitalisation and deaths in HF patients in India. Patients will be randomised to (1) physical activity + usual care (2) cognitive behaviour therapy + usual care, (3) physical activity + cognitive behaviour therapy + usual care, and (4) usual care at 1:1:1:1 ratio. Time to mortality will be the primary outcome. A composite of mortality and hospitalisation for HF will be the main secondary outcome. Additional secondary outcomes will include 'days alive and out of hospital', cumulative hospitalisation, quality of life, Minnesota Living with Heart Failure questionnaire score, depression score, six minutes walking distance, handgrip strength, and adherence to medicines and lifestyle.  The effects of intervention on the primary outcome will be estimated from Cox proportional hazard models. For the continuous secondary outcome variables, differences between randomised groups will be estimated from linear mixed models or generalised estimating equations (GEE) as appropriate. Discussion: PACT-HF is designed to provide reliable evidence about the balance of benefits and risks conferred by physical activity and cognitive behavioural therapy-based cardiac rehabilitation for those with HF, irrespective of their initial disease severity.

Effectiveness and Cost-effectiveness of an Empowerment-Based Self-care Education Program on Health Outcomes Among Patients With Heart Failure: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance

Strategies that enhance self-care of patients with heart failure reduce mortality and health care use.

Objective

To examine whether an empowerment-based self-care education program was more effective and cost-effective to improve self-care, health status, and hospital service use than a didactic education program in patients with heart failure.

Design, Setting, and Participants

In this double-blind randomized clinical trial, a consecutive sample of 988 patients with heart failure from the cardiac clinics of 2 regional hospitals underwent eligibility screening from February 1, 2017, to May 31, 2019, using the criteria of age of 55 years or older, heart failure diagnosed 6 months before screening, and New York Heart Association class II to IV. A total of 236 participants were randomized to the empowerment (n = 118) or education (n = 118) group.

Interventions

The 12-week, group-based, empowerment-based education program included self-care assessment, goal-orientated actions in symptom recognition and response, fluid and dietary modification, and lifestyle management. Didactic education covered the same topics without empowerment strategies.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was self-care measured by the Self-care Heart Failure Index (SCHFI) maintenance, management, and symptom perception subscales at posttest and 3-month end points. Secondary outcomes included measures of knowledge, confidence, health-related quality of life, and health service use. Direct, indirect, and social costs of the 2 programs were collected for cost-effectiveness analysis.

Results

A total of 236 Chinese patients (mean [SD] age, 70 [8.0] years; 149 [63.1%] men) were included in the study. The empowerment group reported significantly greater improvement in SCHFI management scores (mean difference, 13.76; 95% CI, 5.89-21.62; Cohen d = 0.46 at posttest and Cohen d = 0.35 at 3 months) and symptom perception scores (mean difference, 20.36; 95% CI, 13.98-26.75; Cohen d = 0.84 at posttest and Cohen d = 0.61 at 3 months). The empowerment group had lower risks of emergency department attendance (incidence rate ratio, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.31-0.95; P = .03) and hospital admission (incidence rate ratio, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.21-0.68; P = .001) and better improved self-care knowledge (change in score [empowerment minus education], 1.29; 95% CI, 0.48-2.09) and confidence (change in score [empowerment minus education], 7.98; 95% CI, 1.91-14.05). Empowerment was cost-saving and cost-effective at T2 compared with the education group for quality-adjusted life-years, with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of -114 485.

Conclusion and Relevance

In this randomized clinical trial, an empowerment approach led to clinically relevant improvement in symptom perception and self-care management among patients with heart failure. Its cost-effectiveness in improving these prognostic factors also benefits the patient-reported outcome.

Trial Registration

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR-IOR-16008254.

Heart failure readmission reductions during the COVID-19 pandemic

Behaviors, treatments, and self-management strategies used by patients and caregivers at home.

Predictors of Effective Self-care Interventions Among Jordanians With Heart Failure

Jordan has dramatic increases in the prevalence of risk factors for heart failure. However, there are few studies addressing heart failure self-care in Jordan. Identifying predictors of heart failure self-care among Jordanian patients is crucial in providing comprehensive care including addressing risk factors. The study aimed to identify predictors of self-care behaviors among Jordanians with heart failure. A cross sectional study with a convenience sample of 300 Jordanian patients was performed in an educational hospital in the north of Jordan. Differences in the level of self-care between selected sociodemographic and clinical variables were identified using univariate statistics, and multiple regression was used to adjust estimates for covariates. The predictors of self-care were insomnia (p ≤ .001) and marital status (p = .018). Identifying factors influencing self-care can assist with addressing the causes of insomnia to ensure effective treatment, providing patients with social support, and eventually promoting heart failure self-care.

Patient Post-discharge Transitions and Inpatient Readmissions Impose Costly Burdens for Employers and Carriers

Although the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has focused on Medicare hospital readmissions for select diagnoses through the Hospital Readmissions Reduction program, there is no similar initiative for employers, who account for the majority of the 48% of private health care spending in the United States. Readmissions are costly and it is estimated that as many as half of these may be preventable. This study analyzes a national claims database to understand post-discharge transitions and their cost in the working population. Within an employer-sponsored, commercially-insured population, this study found that 4% of members are hospitalized annually and drive 37% of population health care cost. Of these members, 17% undergo additional admissions in the year following discharge and drive approximately 67% of the cost of the admitted population. This study found that the post-discharge site of care transitions has significant implications for the cumulative cost of care. More than a third of patients discharged home will transition to higher cost settings over the course of a year. Mental health and substance abuse diagnoses add significantly to admission/readmission rates and costs. Prior research indicates that post-discharge interventions that activate and engage patients in self-management are beneficial in mitigating overall cost and readmissions.

Mediating effects of social support between Type D personality and self-care behaviours among heart failure patients

AIMS

Patients with heart failure exhibit poor adherence to self-care behaviours. Recent studies have shown a link between Type D personality, social support, and self-care behaviours of patients with chronic diseases. However, the mechanisms underlying this relationship have received little empirical attention in those with heart failure. This study aimed to identify the mediating effects of social support in the relationship between Type D personality and self-care behaviours in patients with heart failure.

DESIGN

This study employed a descriptive cross-sectional design.

METHODS

The sample comprised 170 patients aged over 18 years who had been diagnosed with heart failure for over 6 months and visited a tertiary care university hospital in Seoul. From April-July 2019, data were collected through an interview conducted using a structured questionnaire and a review of medical records by two trained research assistants. Multiple regression models were tested using the SPSS PROCESS procedure with bootstrapping to determine the significance of the mediation.

RESULTS

The prevalence of Type D personality in patients with heart failure was 20.0%. Significant associations were identified among Type D personality, social support, and self-care behaviours. Results revealed an indirect effect, suggesting that the effects of Type D personality on self-care behaviours were mediated by social support.

CONCLUSION

Heart failure patients with Type D personality were likely to lack social support, which may have influenced their low adherence to self-care behaviours. Thus, to facilitate long-lasting self-care behaviours, it is vital to provide supportive care or educational programs for patients with Type D personality.

IMPACT

Providing sustainable social support can have a positive impact on the long-term self-care maintenance of patients with heart failure patients who have a Type D personality. Future studies are required to further elucidate the underlying mechanisms of the relationship between Type D personality, social support, and self-care behaviours.

The Effect of the Teach-Back Method on Knowledge, Performance, Readmission, and Quality of Life in Heart Failure Patients

Background

Among chronic diseases, heart failure has always been a serious challenge imposing high costs on health systems and societies. Therefore, nurses should adopt new educational strategies to improve self-care behaviors and reduce the readmissions in heart failure patients. This study aimed to determine the effect of the teach-back method on knowledge, performance, readmission, and quality of life in these patients.

Methods

This clinical trial was conducted in patients with heart failure (n = 70) hospitalized in the internal wards of the Baqiyatallah al-Azam Medical Center in Tehran (2019). Routine discharge educations were provided in control patients. Self-care topics were taught to the intervention groups by the teach-back method. A cardiac self-care questionnaire was used to assess the knowledge and practice of patients immediately after intervention and three months after patient discharge. Also, SF-36 was presented to each patient. Readmission(s) and quality of life were followed up by telephone interviews three months after patient discharge. Repeated measures analysis of variance and related post-hoc tests were performed for within-group comparisons before, immediately after, and 3 months after teach-back education. Wilks' lambda multivariate tests were conducted for simultaneous comparison of quality of life subscales between intervention and control groups. Also, logistic regressions were after controlling for baseline measures and confounders.

Results

Findings showed significant improvement in the patients' knowledge and performance immediately after teach-back education, though this effect was slow in the long term after discharge. Also, the frequency of readmissions decreased and the quality of life (except physical function) increased in the patients through teach-back education. By controlling for the pretest effect, the posttest scores for the relevant components of the quality of life suggested improvement in both intervention and control patients. This improvement in the quality of life was confirmed by controlling for baseline measurements using binary logistic regression analysis.

Conclusion

Teach-back education improved patients' knowledge and performance, readmission frequency, and quality of life.

Effect of a Smartphone-Based App on the Quality of Life of Patients With Heart Failure: Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Patients with heart failure have low quality of life because of physical impairments and advanced clinical symptoms. One of the main goals of caring for patients with heart failure is to improve their quality of life.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the use of a smartphone-based app on the quality of life of patients with heart failure.

METHODS

This randomized controlled clinical trial with a control group was conducted from June to October 2018 in an urban hospital. In this study, 120 patients with heart failure hospitalized in cardiac care units were randomly allocated to control and intervention groups. Besides routine care, patients in the intervention group received a smartphone-based app and used it every day for 3 months. Both the groups completed the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire before entering the study and at 3 months after entering the study. Data were analyzed using the SPSS software V.16.

RESULTS

The groups showed statistically significant differences in the mean scores of quality of life and its dimensions after the intervention, thereby indicating a better quality of life in the intervention group (P<.001). The effect size of the intervention on the quality of life was 1.85 (95% CI 1.41-2.3). Moreover, the groups showed statistically significant differences in the changes in the quality of life scores and its dimensions (P<.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Use of a smartphone-based app can improve the quality of life in patients with heart failure. The results of our study recommend that digital apps be used for improving the management of patients with heart failure.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials IRCT2017061934647N1; https://www.irct.ir/trial/26434.

The roles of health literacy and social support in improving adherence to self-care behaviours among older adults with heart failure

Aim

To describe the associations between health literacy, social support and self‐care behaviours in older adults with heart failure.

Design

A cross‐sectional descriptive study.

Methods

A total of 252 older adults were recruited from a tertiary care hospital from September 2018–February 2019. Structured questionnaires and medical record reviews were used for data collection. Two steps of hierarchical regression analysis were employed to determine the predictors of self‐care behaviours.

Results

Health literacy (β = 0.27, p < .001) and social support (β = 0.32, p < .001) were significant determinants of self‐care behaviours in older adults with heart failure. Together, they explained 22% of the variance in self‐care behaviours.

Conclusion

Health literacy and perceived social support were positively associated with self‐care behaviours among older heart failure patients. Our findings can help health professionals develop heart failure self‐care interventions to enhance health literacy skills and social support for older adults.

Effectiveness of Mobile Phone-Based Interventions for Improving Health Outcomes in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Mobile phone-based interventions are increasingly used to prevent adverse health outcomes in heart failure patients. However, the effects of mobile phone-based interventions on the health outcomes of heart failure patients remain unclear. Our review aims to synthesize the randomized controlled trials (RCT) of mobile phone-based interventions for heart failure patients and identify the intervention features that are most effective. Electronic searches of RCTs published from January 2000 to July 2019 were conducted. Primary outcomes included all-cause mortality, readmission, emergency department visits, length of hospital stays, and quality of life. Secondary outcomes were self-care behaviors, including medication adherence and other clinical outcomes. A total of eight studies with varying methodological quality met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. Voice call intervention was more frequently used compared with telemonitoring and short message services. Our meta-analysis showed that voice call interventions had significant effects on the length of hospital stays. However, no significant effects on all-cause mortality, readmission, emergency department visits, or quality of life were found. Compared to other mobile phone-based interventions, voice calls were more effective in reducing the length of hospital stay. Future studies are needed to identify which features of mobile phone-based intervention most effectively improve health outcomes.

Toma de decisiones para el manejo de los síntomas de falla cardíaca: protocolo de intervención

Objetivo: dar a conocer el diseño,implementación y evaluación de una intervención de enfermería: “Toma de decisiones para el manejo de los síntomas en adultos con falla cardíaca”.Métodos: se realizó un proceso sistemático propuesto por Sidani yBraden que contempla cuatro fases: diseño de la intervención, operacionalización de la intervención en un manual de intervención, estudio de aceptabilidad, viabilidad y efectividad de la intervención y traducción de la intervención.Resultados: se diseñó la intervención según los postulados de la teoría de situación específica autocuidado en falla cardíaca, centrada en la toma de decisiones para el manejo de los síntomas en adultos con falla cardíaca. Los expertos (n = 5) evaluaron satisfactoriamente el nivel teórico del protocolo (índice de cumplimiento 90 %). La tasa de reclutamiento de los participantes fue exitosa (91,6 %). En una muestra final para el análisis (n = 105) se halló una mejora significativa en el grupo de intervención (n = 53) en el mantenimiento del autocuidado [F (1,103) = 719,6; p = 0,000; 𝜂2𝑝 =0,88 ( = f de Cohen ́s = 2,65)] y en lagestión del autocuidado [F (1,74) = 23501,07;p = 0,000; 𝜂2𝑝 = 0,97 ( = f de Cohen ́s = 5,6)] comparado con el grupo de control(n = 52) que recibió la atención habitual.Conclusiones: se demuestra la fidelidad teórica y operacional, la factibilidad y efectividad del protocolo de una intervención de enfermería para mejorar el autocuidado en adultos con falla cardíaca con un tamaño de efecto grande.

Design and validation of educational material aimed at adults with Heart Failure

Objetivo: Diseñar y validar material educativo dirigido a adultos con Falla Cardíaca para una intervención de enfermería centrada en la toma de decisiones para el manejo de los síntomas. Materiales y métodos: Estudio metodológico realizado siguiendo la Guía para el diseño, utilización y evaluación de material educativo en Salud y el instrumento de Pautas Específicas para Evaluación de material educativo impreso, desarrollados por la Organización Panamericana para la Salud. En el diseño participó un grupo conformado por 2 adultos con Falla Cardíaca, 2 cuidadores, 2 enfermeras y un 1 cardiólogo. El material educativo en su diseño preliminar fue sometido a prueba por expertos (n=7) y por adultos con Falla Cardíaca (n=10). Resultados: El diseño del material educativo tipo folleto está sustentado en la Teoría de Situación Especifica Autocuidado en Falla Cardíaca y su indicador empírico es la escala Self-care Heart Failure Índex. Los expertos y los adultos con Falla Cardíaca que participaron en el estudio convinieron en que el folleto cumple con los criterios de efectividad potencial de todo material educativo. Los puntajes obtenidos en las pautas específicas indicaron que se debe usar como está diseñado y algunos evaluadores indicaron algunas reformas a la versión preliminar. La producción de la versión definitiva se realizó atendiendo las observaciones de los evaluadores. Conclusiones: Se detallan los pasos para el diseño y validación de un material educativo sustentado en una teoría de enfermería y se pone a disposición para ser utilizado en la práctica y la investigación.