نبذة مختصرة : Background: Chronic heart failure (HF) may cause great suffering for both patients and their partners. High marital quality with sufficient emotional support has been found to influence long-term survival in patients with chronic HF. However, emotional reactions of burden, stress and depression have been found to be associated with the partner’s new role. Psychosocial support, and patients-partner education is usually not included in standard chronic HF care despite recommendations in international guidelines.Aim: To evaluate the effects of an integrated dyad care programme with education and psychosocial support to patients with chronic HF and their partners during a post-discharge period of 3 months after acute deterioration of chronic HF.Methods: A randomised, controlled design with a follow up assessment after 3 months was used. The dyads in the control group received care as usual. The experimental group participated in an integrated care intervention, delivered in three modules through nurse-led face-to-face counselling, a computer-based CD-ROM program and other written teaching materials.Results: The intervention improved perceived control (P<0.05) in patients, but not in the partners. There were no other significant differences between the groups with regard to the dyads’ health related quality of life and depressive symptoms, patients’ self-care behaviour and partners’ experiences of caregiver burden.Conclusion: This is the first major randomised study evaluating a programme focusing on the development of problem solving skills to assist the dyads in managing heart failure. The intervention significantly improved the level of perceived control in the patient group.
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