ABSTRACT
Education Patients and relatives may benefit directly from education concerning the condition, providing realistic expectations for the future, and strategies for coping with symptoms. In addition, patients who understand their condition are more likely to comply with medication (Table 43). Patients may be taught about the need for regular stepwise increases in medication, and warning signs such as increasing breathlessness or oedema which suggest the need for urgent review. Mobile patients may be able to
Outcome Result
Mortality No evidence available
Quality of life; functional capacity; patient satisfaction; Improved in trials that reported these outcomes compliance (diet, medication); patient knowledge
Hospital readmission over 1-6 months Conflicting results between 4 small and 1 larger RCTs
RCT n ART (%) ARC (%) ARR (%) RRR (%) NNT
4 543 31 45 14 (6-21) 31 (13-47) 7 (5-17)
1 504 52 42 -11 (-19--2) -26 (-46--5) -9 (-20--2)
Harms No evidence available
While there are problems with the available data (small studies, highly selected patients, in academic centres, interventions varied, study time <6 months) it is likely that such interventions are beneficial.
