Self-management intervention using teach-back for people with heart failure in Vietnam: a cluster randomized controlled trial protocol

Globally, the increasing prevalence of heart failure is a burden on health-care systems, especially in under-resourced countries, such as Vietnam. We describe a prospective single-site, cluster randomized controlled trial of an intervention designed to teach adult patients about heart failure and how to undertake self-care activities. The intervention, delivered by a nurse, comprises of an individual teaching session using teach-back, a heart failure booklet, weighing scales, a diary to document daily weight, and a follow-up phone call 2 weeks after hospital discharge. Teach-back is a process of asking patients to repeat information and for the nurse to fill any gaps or misunderstanding until adequate understanding is demonstrated. The control group will receive usual education plus the heart failure (HF) booklet. A total of 140 participants will be allocated into two study groups. The level of randomization is at the ward level. The primary outcome (HF knowledge) and secondary outcomes (self-care behaviors and all-cause hospitalizations) will be measured at 1 and 3 months. This study will make an important contribution regarding a protocol of teach-back and chronic disease self-management.