The Effect of Continuous Care Model on Lifestyle of Patients with Myocardial Infarction

Background: Cardiovascular diseases are known as the first cause of death and disability throughout the world. Evidence suggests that lifestyle is a determining factor in prognosis, progression, and recurrence of this group of disease. Therefore, it is important to consider modification of lifestyle. This study aimed to determine the effect of continuous care model on lifestyle of the patients with myocardial infarction.

Methods: This quasi-experimental study was performed on the patients with myocardial infarction referring to two hospitals in Jahrom, Iran during 2014-2015. Seventy patients were selected through convenience sampling method and were randomly assigned to the two groups of intervention and control. For the intervention group, continuous care program was performed as four stages of familiarization, sensitization, follow-up, and evaluation during six group sessions of 30-60 min for three months. The data were collected by demographic data form and Walker and Pender Health Promoting Lifestyle questionnaire before and one week after the intervention. The data were analysed by Chi-square and independent t-test using SPSS 19.

Results: After execution of continuous care model, the mean of total lifestyle score in intervention group increased from 126.6±16.36 to 181.1±25.2. This difference was statistically significant between the two groups (P<0.001).

Conclusion: According to the results of present study, applying continuous care model could modify the life style. Therefore, this model is recommended as a valuable intervention for improving the lifestyle among patients with myocardial infarction.