Eurasian Journal of Chemical, Medicinal and Petroleum Research

Abstract Background: Heart failure (HF) is a chronic, progressive condition with high prevalence and mortality rates worldwide. Despite advances in medical management, patients with HF face significant challenges in self-care, leading to poor clinical outcomes and frequent hospital readmissions. Adherence to self-care behaviors is critical for reducing hospital readmissions, yet many patients struggle with maintaining these behaviors due to insufficient education and follow-up.

Objective: This study examined the impact of the Continuous Care Model (CCM) on self-efficacy and hospital readmission among patients hospitalized with HF.

Methods: This quasi-experimental study conducted on 70 patients with HF visiting two teaching hospitals in southeastern Iran in 2021. Patients were selected using convenience sampling and randomly assigned to two groups: control (n=35) receiving routine care and intervention (n=35) receiving CCM. The intervention consisted of six individual training sessions during hospitalization, six sessions post-discharge, and weekly telephone follow-up until the twelfth week. Data collected using a demographic form, readmission assessment, and Sullivan's Cardiac Self-Efficacy Scale. Analysis was performed using SPSS version 22 with chi-square, independent and paired samples t-tests, and ANCOVA at P < 0.05 significance level.

Results: ANCOVA revealed significantly higher self-efficacy scores in the intervention group after implementing CCM (P = 0.001). Independent t-test results showed that readmission frequencies in the control group (1.03 ± 1.01) were significantly higher than in the intervention group (0.34 ± 0.68) (P = 0.001).

Conclusion: The Continuous Care Model significantly improved self-efficacy and reduced hospital readmission frequency among patients with HF. Given its ease of implementation, applicability, and low cost, healthcare authorities recommended to develop policies for implementing CCM for HF patients.