Effect of continuous care model on lifestyle of patients with myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND: Myocardial infarction (MI) is a life threatening disease that influences the physical, psychological and social dimensions of the individual. Improper lifestyle is one of the causes of this disease. The use of nursing models could be one of the important and fundamental steps in changing the risk factors associated with MI. This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of continuous care model on the lifestyle of patients with MI. METHODS: This randomized clinical trial was carried out on 70 patients with MI in coronary care units of hospitals affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. Enrolled patients were randomly assigned to intervention or control groups using a randomization list (random permutated blocks with length 4). The continuous care model was used for 35 patients in the intervention group for a period of 3 months and in the control group, the usual cares were applied for 35 patients. Data were collected through lifestyle questionnaire before the intervention and 3 months after. The data were analyzed using chi-square, independent t-test and paired t-test. RESULTS: Patients in the intervention group showed significant improvements in lifestyle (125.6 ± 15.4 vs. 180.1 ± 19.9). Moreover, the lifestyle score of intervention group was significantly better than that of the control group (117.9 ± 22.0 vs. 180.1 ± 19.9; P < 0.001) after three months. CONCLUSION: Applying a continuous care model had positive effects on the lifestyle of patients with Myocardial Infarction. In order to reduce the risk factors and improve the lifestyle of patients with MI, nurses could use this model to create an effective change.