Intervention based on the family health nurse model on hypertension in the elderly: Protocol for a randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND: This demographic is disproportionately affected by various health challenges, making them the primary users of healthcare resources, with hypertension being a prevalent chronic condition among them. Effective management of blood pressure can lead to a notable decrease in expenditures associated with advanced medical treatments. Among the various family-centered strategies, the family health nurse (FHN) model, proposed by the World Health Organization in 1998, stands out. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This randomized controlled clinical trial was carried out from September to March 2023 at selected healthcare institutions in Isfahan City. A random number table was used to identify 78 eligible participants for the study. The intervention group received strategies rooted in the FHN model, including personalized and family education, establishment of self-help groups, and both internal and external support follow-ups to enhance hypertension self-management. In contrast, the control group received standard care. The efficacy of the intervention was assessed using the Stanford University Chronic Disease Self-Management Questionnaire, comprising 38 questions across 8 dimensions, administered at three intervals: before the intervention, immediately post-intervention, and 3 months later, alongside blood pressure measurements. CONCLUSION: Considering that social factors, including the family, are determinants of health, determining the effectiveness of the FHN model on the control and prevention of hypertension can provide a suitable framework for providing family-oriented services to the elderly with hypertension and improving their health. By carrying out the necessary tests, information will be gathered. Software called SPSS 22 (Version 18, Isfahan, Iran) will be used for data analysis.