This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC 4.0 license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/). Signa Vitae 2020 vol.16(2), 92-96 ©2020 The Authors. Published by MRE Press. http://www.signavitae.com/ Submitted: 09 June, 2020 Accepted: 01 July, 2020 Published: 28 Octcber, 2020 DOI:10.22514/sv.2020.16.0039 ORIGINAL RESEARCH Effect of Telenursing on the Self-efficacy of Patients with Myocardial Infarction: A Quasi-experimental Study Najmeh Keshavaraz 1 , Mahin Naderifar 2, *, Mohammadreza Firouzkohi 2 , Abdolghani Abdollahimohammad 2 , Majid Reza Akbarizadeh 3 1 Student Research Committee, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Zabol University of Medical Sciences, Zabol, Iran 2 Department of Nursing, Zabol University of Medical Sciences, Zabol, Iran 3 Department of Pediatrics, Zabol University of Medical Sciences, Zabol, Iran *Correspondence hresearchh@gmail.com (Mahin Naderifar) Abstract Background and Objective: Despite medical advances, patients with Myocardial Infarction do not fully recover and require rehabilitation and other treatment measures as well. One way to empower these patients is to promote self-efficacy. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the effect of Tele-nursing on the self-efficacy of patients with myocardial infarction. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 40 patients with Myocardial Infarction. The participants selected using the simple random sampling method. The patients were divided into two intervention and control groups of 20 participants. Routine training was given to both groups before discharge. The demographic data questionnaire and Sullivan’s cardiac self-efficacy questionnaire were then provided to each patient. In the intervention group, in addition to routine training, the telephone follow-up intervention was performed by the researcher within one month (once a week with an average call duration of 10 minutes). After one month, the self-efficacy questionnaire was provided to each of the study units again. Finally, after determining the normal distribution, the data were analyzed by chi-square, independent t-test, and ANCOVA tests, using SPSS v.25 software. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of demographic variables and disease characteristics. The mean score of self-efficacy before and after the intervention in the control group was 22.90 ± 3.93 and 33.35 ± 8.36, respectively, and in the intervention group, was 25.60 ± 6.90 and 47.45 ± 5.60, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups after the intervention (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Telenursing can improve adherence to the treatment program and promote patients’ self-efficacy. Therefore, due to its reliability, availability, and low cost, this method can be used in patient care and follow-up. Keywords Telenursing, Self-Efficacy, Myocardial Infarction 1. Introduction Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is one of the most com- mon heart diseases diagnosed in developing countries [1]. The Myocardial Infarction (MI), also known as heart attack, occurs when coronary blood flow is suddenly reduced by the blockage of a coronary artery that has already narrowed due to atherosclerosis. The incidence rate of MI increases progressively with age and the presence of other risk factors such as hypertension, smoking, and diabetes [2]. About 1.5 million people in the United States have suffered from MI in a year, and MI is associated with 30% mortality rate. In Iran, these diseases are also the first leading cause of death in individuals over 35 years of age [1]. Despite rapid diagnostic and therapeutic advances, one-third of patients with MI still die, and two-thirds of those who survive do not fully recover. Thus, this disease imposes a huge cost on the country’s health care systems [3]. On the other hand, more than 50% of post- MI patients require rehabilitation and other treatment measures [4]. The ideal treatment for ischemic heart disease involves the use of multilateral pharmaceutical measures, surgery, control- ling risk factors, and lifestyle modification, which leads to the empowerment of these patients. One way to empower these patients is to promote self-efficacy [5]. According to Albert Bandura, self-efficacy is “one’s belief in one’s ability to succeed in specific situations or accomplish a task” [6]. Health behaviors are strongly affected by self-efficacy, and individuals seem to be stimulated to perform health behaviors and even show health behaviors as confronting challenges when they feel a sense of control over their health behav- iors [7]. In other words, self-efficacy is directly associated with health behaviors and for attaining goals, health behaviors are indirectly affected by self-efficacy. Studies have shown