A comparison of the effects of multimedia and peer teaching methods on medication adherence in heart failure patients

Abstract

Objective: The present study investigated and compared the effects of peer and multimedia teaching methods on medication adherence of heart failure patients. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was done in Arak University of Medical Sciences hospitals, Arak, Iran. Samples were 44 patients with heart failure, studied in two groups. Twenty-two patients received medication adherence education through multimedia content developed by the researchers and a trained peer educated the other 22 patients. The patients’ medication adherence was assessed with a medication adherence questionnaire designed by Girerd et al. (2001) before, immediately after, and 1 month after the intervention. Data was entered the SPSS 23 and analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics (ANOVA). Results: The study of medication adherence indicated that medication adherence was different in each group before, immediately after, and one month after the intervention; however, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups. Conclusion: Both peer and multimedia education methods improved medication adherence in patients with heart failure. However, the improvement rate in medication adherence was higher in the multimedia group. Practice Implication: It is suggested to use an appropriate method for teaching patients in different situations based on the available facilities and conditions.