Enhancing self-care in elderly patients: the impact of WhatsApp reminder messages at the Heart and Vascular Center

Abstract

The importance of reminder messages lies in improving self-care among heart disease patients. At the Heart and Vascular Center, many patients, both those under ongoing care and those recently treated, do not consistently engage in self-care activities. Reminder messages can encourage adherence to medication regimens. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of WhatsApp reminder messages on the self-care of elderly patients at the Heart and Vascular Center. The research employed a quasi-experimental design with a two-group pre- and post-test control design. Using a probability sampling technique with simple random sampling, the study required 16 new patients in each group. The instrument used was the Self-Care Heart Failure Index (SCHFI) questionnaire, consisting of 22 questions. Data analysis was performed using the Mann-Whitney test. The results indicated that WhatsApp reminder messages are effective in enhancing patient self-care at the Heart and Vascular Center at Premier Hospital Surabaya (p-value<0.001). The Mann-Whitney test results post-intervention showed a p-value of 0.013, confirming the effectiveness of WhatsApp reminder messages in improving self-care among patients. This study demonstrated a significant positive influence of WhatsApp reminder messages on the self-care of elderly patients at the Heart and Vascular Center. These messages are an effective tool for improving patient self-care practices at Premier Hospital Surabaya.