Abstract:
Living with heart failure (HF) threatens quality of life (QOL) and functional capacity. Primary care nurse providers pay a key role in reducing risk factors for heart failure patients. Patient education focusing on lifestyle modification provided to HF patients may increase the QOL and functional capacity (Kutzleb & Reiner, 2006). The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of a nurse directed patient education program on heart failure on QOL and functional capacity. The conceptual framework is QOL (Ferrans & Powers, 1992). The sample will include 80 patients diagnosed with HF who participate in follow-up care at a Midwest outpatient cardiology clinic managed by a medical physician with a specialty in cardiology and a cardiac nurse specialist and educator. The QOL Index-Cardiac IV tool (Ferrans & Powers, 1992) will measure dimensions of QOL. Functional capacity will be measured by using the 6-minute walk test. Findings will provide information about the impact of a nurse directed patient education program on QOL and functional capacity of Atients with HF.