Information Technology-Driven Education: Virtual Social Networks vs. Traditional Face-to-Face Approaches in Medication Adherence in Patients with Hypertension
نویسندگان
1 Assistant Professor of Nursing, Department of Operating Room and Anesthesiology, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
2 Associate Professor of Nursing, Department of Emergency and Critical Care Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
3 Professor of Nursing, Department of Psychiatric Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
4 MSc Nursing Student, Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
doi
10.22038/ebcj.2025.88396.3142چکیده
Background: Ensuring that patients adhere to their medication is vital for effectively managing hypertension. Implementing educational interventions using social networks can be a practical approach to promote patient adherence.Aim: The present study was conducted with aim to compare the impact of virtual social network-based education against traditional face-to-face education on medication adherence in individuals with hypertension .Method: This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 210 patients with hypertension referred to the heart clinics affiliated to Zanjan University of Medical Sciences. The participants were allocated to three groups. Educational intervention was conducted in 4 sessions and during 4 weeks for virtual and face-to-face training groups. The data were collected using the demographic form and Morisky medication adherence scale (MMAS-8) before, one and three months after the intervention. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 16) and Chi-square, ANOVA and Repeated Measures tests.Results: There was a statistically significant difference in the mean medication adherence score among the three study groups before the intervention (F=4.18; p=0.017), one month (F=68.85; p=0.0001), and three months (F=64.78; p=0.0001) after the intervention. The mean medication adherence score in the virtual and face-to-face education groups was significantly higher than the control group at one and three months after the intervention (p=0.0001); however, no statistically significant difference was observed between the two intervention groups (p=0.999).Implications for Practice: Educational strategies that social networks and face-to-face training can help individuals manage hypertension. Virtual education can be a cost-effective alternative to traditional approaches, but face-to-face education is also practical.
