Effectiveness of a Web-based Family-Centered Communication Program on Heart Failure Trajectory and Palliative Care: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Trial Snapshot
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Status
- Completed
- Sponsor
- Enrollment
- 150
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Change in quality of life
Study Overview
Brief Summary
This randomized controlled trial evaluates the effectiveness of a web-based family-centered communication enhancement program ("Heart to Heart") designed for patients with heart failure, family caregivers, and cardiac nurses.
Study Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Intervention Model
- Parallel
- Primary Purpose
- Supportive Care
- Masking
- None
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 19 Years to — (Adult, Older Adult)
- Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria
- •Adults aged 19 years or older with a confirmed diagnosis of heart failure for at least one year
- •Receiving outpatient follow-up care in the cardiology clinic
- •Accompanied by a primary family caregiver
- •Able to access and use a web-based platform
- •Family caregivers who are primarily involved in the patient's care and able to use a web-based platform
- •Cardiac nurses with at least three years of clinical experience in the cardiovascular department
Exclusion Criteria
- •Individuals unable to use the web-based platform
- •Individuals who declined to participate or did not provide informed consent
Arms & Interventions
Heart to Heart Program
Participants receive the "Heart to Heart" web-based communication enhancement program for four weeks. The program includes educational video modules and printable resources designed to improve understanding of heart failure trajectory, goals-of-care conversations, and palliative care communication among patients with heart failure, their family caregivers, and cardiac nurses.
Intervention: Heart to Heart Web-based Communication Program (Behavioral)
Usual Care
Participants receive routine cardiology follow-up and standard education regarding heart failure self-care without access to the web-based communication program during the study period.
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Change in quality of life
Time Frame: Baseline and 4 weeks after the intervention
Change in quality of life measured by the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire
Person-centered Care Competence
Time Frame: Baseline and 4 weeks after the intervention
Change in person-centered care competence measured by the Individualized Care Scale
Secondary Outcomes
- Heart Failure Knowledge(Baseline and 4 weeks after the intervention)
- Self-care Behavior(Baseline and 4 weeks after the intervention)
- Caregiver Burden(Baseline and 4 weeks after the intervention)
- Patient-centered Communication Competence(Baseline and 4 weeks after the intervention)
Investigators
Jeong-Ah Ahn
Professor
Ajou University School of Medicine