Effect of telenursing empowerment programme on self-efficacy and health status of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: randomised controlled trial.

Background/aim: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is progressive and persistent airway obstruction, leading to deteriorated health status and decreased quality of life. Many patients cannot manage their condition due to lack of self-efficacy. This study assessed the effect of a telenursing distance empowering programme on self-efficacy and health status in COPD patients.

Methods: An experimental study with baseline and three follow-up measurements was conducted. Participants (N = 108) were randomised into experimental and control groups. As a pre-test, patients' self-efficacy and health status in both groups were assessed. Both groups received routine pre-discharge education. In the intervention group, 14 sessions of mobile phone-based education and counselling were provided over 7 weeks after discharge. The effect of the intervention was examined with multilevel analyses.

Results: There was no statistically significant difference between two groups in the demographic variables, self-efficacy and health status before the intervention (p > 0.05). After the intervention, a statistically significant difference in the mean self-efficacy scale scores and health status scores between the two groups at the immediately after intervention, 1-month, and 3-month follow-up period were seen (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Empowerment through telenursing can enhance self-efficacy and health status in patients with COPD.

Practice implications: Using telenursing customised to the patient's conditions and needs over time can lead to better access to educational and counselling services, improved empowerment, self-efficacy and disease management, ultimately resulting in better health status.