Aim. This study was conducted to examine the effect of family-centered education on the quality of life patients after coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Background. Following coronary artery bypass graft surgery, the patients face many physical, mental and social problems, which reduce their quality of life. Teaching the patient's family provides an opportunity for family members to cooperate actively in taking care and supporting patient, thereby, improve patients' quality of life.

Method. This was an experimental study in which 96 patients with their active family members were recruited according to inclusion criteria and randomly allocated to experimental (n=48) and control group (n=48). Before intervention, SF-12 Quality of Life Questionnaire (QOL) was completed by participants in both groups. Then, experimental group received family-centered education in three sessions and control group received only hospital routine educational program. Quality of life was again measured one month later. The data were analyzed by SPSS version 22.

Findings. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups regarding demographic characteristics. Based on Mann-Whitney test, a statistically significant increase was observed in scores of QOL dimensions after intervention in the experimental group as compared with control group (P<0.0001).

Conclusion: Family-centered education in patients under coronary artery bypass graft can improve quality of life in these patients.