Improving Understanding and Use of Discharge Prescriptions for Heart Attack and Heart Failure Patients with Low Health Literacy

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating how an educational intervention tailored to patients with low health literacy can reduce medication errors and misuse after hospital discharge in those who have experienced acute myocardial infarction or acute decompensated heart failure. Low health literacy affects many people in Europe and is linked to poor health outcomes, increased hospital readmissions, and higher healthcare costs. This study focuses on patients hospitalized for these acute cardiovascular events, as they face increased risks due to complex medication regimens and short hospital stays. The study compares usual care with an interventional educational toolkit designed specifically for patients with low health literacy. This toolkit involves three interviews with a trained health advisor two before discharge and one telephone follow-up within three weeks after leaving the hospital. The nurse provides detailed, personalized information about the discharge prescription, illness, and actions to take in high-risk situations. Additionally, two telephone interviews by a clinical research assistant occur at 30 and 90 days post-discharge to assess understanding and adherence through questionnaires. Participants will be closely followed during the study with assessments focusing on medication errors or misuse within 30 days after hospital discharge. The study measures how well patients understand and take ownership of their discharge prescriptions, aiming to improve adherence. The trial runs until December 2027, and participants receive monitoring through interviews and questionnaires to track outcomes and support medication safety after leaving the hospital.

Using an Intervention Adapted to the Health Literacy Level to Improve Adherence to Medical Recommendations