title: Information needs of patients with heart failure: Health professionals' perspectives.
abstract: This study aimed to understand information needs of patients with heart failure from the perspectives of health professionals. The exploratory qualitative study was conducted in 2011. Face-to-face interviews were performed to collect data from 24 health professionals. Data were evaluated through content analysis. Information identified by health professionals as essential for patients' learning included risk factors and symptom management, prognosis, medication and lifestyle adjustment. Factors related to both patients and health professionals were recognized as barriers to information acquisition. Moreover, health professionals provided several recommendations for improving the health condition of patients. Information needs identified by health professionals, as well as actual needs expressed by patients, can be incorporated in health education. The effectiveness of educating patients can be improved by addressing needs perceived by both patients and health professionals.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Mingming
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: The Nethersole School of Nursing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Sek Ying
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Chair
authors.affiliation: The Nethersole School of Nursing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Carmen Wh
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.affiliation: The Nethersole School of Nursing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Kai Chow
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Choi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: heart failure; information needs; nursing; patient education; qualitative study