Relationships Between Knowledge, Attitude and Frequency of Hospitalization in Heart Failure Patients.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine if relationships existed between levels of knowledge about heart failure, attitude towards adhering to prescribed medical care and frequency of hospitalization among heart failure patients. The study also tested the reliability and validity of the Shih Heart Failure Knowledge Test. The test was used to measure subjects knowledge about their illness. Selected assessment areas were signs and symptoms of heart failure, medications, exercise and dietary restrictions. The Miller Health Attitude Scale was used to measure subjects predicted adherence to prescribed medical care. Selected assessment areas were cardiac diet, medications, physical activity, stress reduction, and smoking. A convenience sample of 21 subjects was used. All subjects were pre-cardiac transplant heart failure patients being treated at a large Northwest medical center. Subjects received a packet containing the knowledge test, the attitude scale and a demographic data survey. Nine subjects were selected to was used. All subjects were pre-cardiac transplant heart failure patients being treated at a large Northwest medical center. Subjects received a packet containing the knowledge test, the attitude scale and a demographic data survey. Nine subjects were selected to repeat the knowledge test two weeks later. The data was used to test the reliability of the knowledge test. At the end of four months subjects returned a hospitalization self-report survey documenting the number of times they were hospitalized, length of stay for each hospitalization, and reason for admission. Data was confirmed using subjects medical records.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 22, 1996
Accession Number
ADA311497

Entities

People

  • Leslie D. Erickson

Organizations

  • Air Force Institute of Technology

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Body Weight
  • Cardiovascular Diseases
  • Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena
  • Health Care
  • Health Services
  • Heart Diseases
  • Heart Failure
  • Medical Personnel
  • Myocardial Ischemia
  • Pain
  • Patient Care
  • Therapy

Fields of Study

  • Medicine

Readers

  • Gender and Food Studies
  • Mental Health of Military Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Risk Factors, Prevalence, Symptoms, and Treatment.
  • Trauma or Military Medicine

Technology Areas

  • Biotechnology