Table 1.

Design and data collection in the HF-Geriatrics study

TIME	CONTROL GROUP	INTERVENTION GROUP	WHO DOES IT
Admission	Review of inclusion and exclusion criteria Informed consent Randomisation BASELINE VARIABLES		Case manager
	ROUTINE MEDICAL MONITORING (will vary across centres)	Educational session Knowledge of disease Drugs Comorbidity Follow-up information Plan for discharge Questionnaires on self-care and disease knowledge for patient and caregiver
2 weeks		Telephone contact Symptoms-signs Compliance Next appointment	Case manager
1 month		Consultation with case manager Educational reinforcement Drugs-Compliance Comorbidity Follow-up	Case manager
2 months		Consultation with case manager Similar to above	Case manager
3 months		Consultation with case manager Similar to above	Case manager
6 months		Consultation with physician	Physician
		Consultation with case manager Similar to above	Case manager
	REGISTRY OF VARIABLES		Research team
8 months		Consultation with case manager Similar to above	Case manager
12 months		Consultation with physician	Physician
		Consultation with case manager Similar to above	Case manager
	REGISTRY OF VARIABLES		Research team