Within the framework of the “12 months, 12 outstanding scientific articles” initiative, Dr. Elena Calvo, nurse manager of the Hemodynamics and Interventional Cardiology Unit and the Electrophysiology and Arrhythmias Unit of the Bellvitge Hospital, as well as a researcher at the IDIBELL Nursing Research group (GRIN), has been recognized by the Catalan-Balearic Nursing Society (SCBI).

The study, entitled “Can an individualized adherence education program delivered by nurses improve therapeutic adherence in elderly people with acute myocardial infarction?: A randomized controlled study“, evaluated the impact of an individualized educational intervention on the therapeutic adherence of older patients after a myocardial infarction.

The project has focused on the growing number of these patients, who have a higher risk of complications and low medication adherence. The study aimed to evaluate how an educational program led by nurses can influence therapeutic adherence in patients aged 75 years or older after a heart attack.

This research, in which 143 patients were included, confirms the importance of the role of nurses in health promotion and management of chronic diseases. This underlines the need for educational programs that improve patient self-management, especially in older people with chronic pathologies.

The Catalan-Balearic Nursing Society publishes monthly reviews of outstanding scientific articles led by nurses, with the aim of promoting research and innovation in nursing practice. The full review of Dr. Calvo’s study can be read on the SCBI website.

The Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL) is a biomedical research center created in 2004. It is participated by the Bellvitge University Hospital and the Viladecans Hospital of the Catalan Institute of Health, the Catalan Institute of Oncology, the University of Barcelona and the City Council of L’Hospitalet de Llobregat.

IDIBELL is a member of the Campus of International Excellence of the University of Barcelona HUBc and is part of the CERCA institution of the Generalitat de Catalunya. In 2009 it became one of the first five Spanish research centers accredited as a health research institute by the Carlos III Health Institute. In addition, it is part of the “HR Excellence in Research” program of the European Union and is a member of EATRIS and REGIC. Since 2018, IDIBELL has been an Accredited Center of the AECC Scientific Foundation (FCAECC).