The study aimed to develop and evaluate whether a computer-based program for patients with heart failure was user-friendly, could be operated by elderly patients and gave sufficient information about heart failure. The program was developed by a multidisciplinary group and designed with large, clear illustrations and buttons. A total of 42 patients aged 51-92 years tested the program and completed afterwards a questionnaire. Three heart failure nurses evaluated how the patients used the program and their attitudes towards the computer. All patients could use the program, despite the fact that only six had used a computer before. The patients were satisfied with the computer-based information and appreciated that the program was interactive, flexible and contained a self-test. They thought it was a better way of receiving information than reading a booklet or watching a video about heart failure. The nurses reported that the patients were positive towards the computer and seemed to understand the information and that the patient education was less time-consuming, when the patients could seek knowledge on their own. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.