Intervention
Initially, we performed a pretest to assess the patients’ self-
care ability and to identify their educational needs in terms
of MI self-care. Then, based on the identified educational
needs, we provided the patients in the experimental group
with information regarding the functions of cardiovascular
system, aetiology and risk factors for MI, management of
MI risk factors, and the importance of adherence to treat-
ment and dietary regimens. Educations were provided in
three 45-minute sessions. Moreover, during the first
45 days after the educations, we made frequent phone calls
to the patients in the experimental group and provided
them with the required counselling services in terms of MI
self-care. The patients were also able to make phone calls
to or visit the researchers to receive further education. On
the other hand, the patients in the control group received
no intervention.
Finally, we performed a post-test to re-assess the patients’
self-care ability.