Effects of family-centered program on the specific quality of life of patients with a pacemaker: A nursing intervention study.

Background: Cardiac problem causes changes in different aspects of life in patients, including their activities of daily living (ADL). Because of the important role of family in caring for patient after pacemaker implantation, this study was done to evaluate the effect of family-centered empowerment model on ADL of patient after pacemaker implantation.

Methods: This randomized clinical trial study was performed on 70 patients who underwent pacemaker implantation in Shahid Chamran Hospital, Isfahan, Iran. Patients and their family in the intervention group received educational program according to family-based empowerment program. The control group only received routine interventions. Data were collected using a valid specific quality of life (QOL) questionnaire and analyzed by SPSS software.

Results: Patient's self-efficacy, self-esteem, and personal QOL have been improved after the empowerment program compared with the baseline and the control group (P < 0.05 for all).

Conclusion: The QOL in patients with pacemaker is relatively low. Similar to previous studies, family-centered empowerment model, due to participation of the patients and their families in education, learning, and taking care of the patients, could be an appropriate model to implement.