Impact of telephone monitoring on patients with heart failure: a randomized clinical trial

Objective: To analyze self-care and knowledge in patients with heart failure who were monitored telephonically, and to analyze the correlation of knowledge with self-care. Methods: It was a randomized clinical trial, performed in a specialized clinic from April of 2015 to December of 2015. Thirty-six patients were monitored and randomized, with 17 in the control group and 19 in the intervention group. Both groups participated in the conventional monitoring, which included three visits (initial, second and fourth month); the intervention group was associated with telephone support by means of a standardized guide. The Knowledge and Self-Care Questionnaires were used to evaluate the primary and secondary outcomes. Results: Difference in knowledge (12.7 +/- 1.7 vs. 10.8 +/- 2.2, p= 0.009) and self-care (25.4 +/- 6.6 vs. 29.5 +/- 4.8, p= 0. 04) were identified in the fourth month; and there was a negative correlation between knowledge and self-care scores in the second month (r =-0.48; p= 0.03). Conclusion: The conventional management combined with telephone monitoring was effective in the 4th month with improved knowledge and self-care of patients with heart failure and a significant correlation of these outcomes in the second month.