The Effect of an Educational Video on Device-Related Concerns in a Single-Center Left Ventricular Assist Device Population

PURPOSE:The purpose of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of various concerns among left ventricular assist device (LVAD) patients and evaluate the effect of an educational video intervention on reducing those concerns in a single-center adult LVAD population. METHODS:A 15-point LVAD Concerns Scale was created to evaluate the prevalence of specific device-related concerns. An educational video was created to address the concerns presented in the LVAD Concerns Scale. Data collection took place from November 2018 to February 2019. A cross-sectional, pre- post-test implementation study design was used to both identify various device-related concerns that exist among LVAD patients and examine the effectiveness of an educational intervention on reducing patients’ device-related concerns. RESULTS:Of the available LVAD patients who met inclusion criteria, 30 were enrolled to participate. The designed LVAD Concerns Scale was found to have acceptable reliability. Participants’ LVAD-related concerns were significantly reduced following implementation of the LVAD Concerns Video. CONCLUSION:Implementation of an educational intervention tailored to address LVAD patients’ specific device-related concerns resulted in a statistically significant decrease in those concerns. With the disparity between the number of patients awaiting heart transplantation and the number of available donor hearts, LVADs are being used with increased frequency to treat advanced heart failure. However, available education is suboptimal. Further development of education is required to improve patient outcomes