Assessment of hypertensive patients' self-care agency after counseling training of nurses

PurposeThe aim of the study was to assess hypertensive patients' self-care agency and any correlation with the patient's lifestyle changes and the nurse's degree of patient centeredness after counseling training. Data sourcesNurses in the intervention group (IG; n = 19) working at nurse-led clinics at health centers were trained in patient centeredness (motivational interviewing) and the stages of change model and included 137 patients. Nurses in the control group (CG; n = 14) included 51 patients. The Exercise of Self-Care Agency (ESCA) instrument was used. There was a significant difference from baseline to the 2-year follow-up in the ESCA score (IG, p = .0001). An increase in ESCA score was correlated with an increased level of physical activity after 2 years (IG, p = .0001; CG, p = .040). ConclusionsThe counseling training gave an increase in the patients' self-care agency scores, which was significantly correlated with increased physical activity. Implications for practiceIn clinical practice it is important for nurses to be patient centered in their counseling to affect patients' self-care agency in a positive direction.