Nurse-led interventions in heart failure care: patient and nurse perspectives.
BACKGROUND
Perspectives of nurses and patients on the intensity and content of disease management programmes (DMPs) in heart failure are seldom addressed but are important in optimizing these programmes.


OBJECTIVE
To describe the perspectives of patients and nurses on delivered care in two DMPs.


METHODS
In total 442 patients (62% male; age 68±12years; LVEF 33%±14), assigned to the intervention groups of the Coordinating Study Evaluating Outcomes of Advising and Counselling in HF (COACH), and 32 registered nurses, completed questionnaires on satisfaction with the intensity and components of the DMPs.


RESULTS
In spite of large differences in intensity and components, patients were satisfied with the content of both DMPs. In patients (NYHA III-IV), treatment and educational goals were more often achieved in those who received intensive support, compared to patients who received basic support (85% vs. 70%). Patients and nurses perceived that most home visits were adding significant value to the HF care, while 12% of the home visits were perceived as unnecessary by the nurses.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients and nurses did not perceive the intense DMP as an emotional and physical burden for themselves. Patients with severe HF might be in need of more support to achieve optimal treatment and educational goals.
Hoekstra
Tialda
T
Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, The Netherlands. t.hoekstra@thorax.umcg.nl
Lesman-Leegte
Ivonne
I
van der Wal
Martje
M
Luttik
Marie Louise
ML
Jaarsma
Tiny
T
D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D015400:Clinical Nursing Research; D003376:Counseling; D019468:Disease Management; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000451:nursing* / Q000628:therapy*; D006699:Home Care Services; D006792:House Calls; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000458:organization & administration; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011787:Quality of Health Care