Trial of a family-based education program for heart failure patients in rural Thailand

BACKGROUND: Heart failure (HF) significantly impacts on the daily lives of patients and their carers. In Western society HF education programs have increased patient and carer knowledge and improved health-related quality of life. However, there is a paucity of such evidence in Asia. For example, to date no studies have been conducted in Thailand to investigate the potential benefits of a family-based education program on the health outcomes of HF patients and carers. METHODS: This randomised controlled trial will evaluate the effectiveness of an education program on knowledge, self-care and health-related quality of life of Thai HF patients and their carers. Assessments will be conducted at baseline, three and six months. Participants will be assigned by independent random allocation to an intervention (family-based education plus usual care) or a control (usual care) group. Analyses will be conducted on an intention-to-treat basis. DISCUSSION: This trial will be the first to evaluate the effectiveness of family-based education for HF patients and carers residing in rural Thailand. It attempts to advance understanding of family-based HF education and address the gap in service provision. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Thai Clinical Trial Registry TCTR20140506003