title: Pattern Versus Change: Community-Based Dyadic Heart Failure Self-Care.
abstract: It is imperative that dyadic heart failure (HF) self-care be carefully examined so we can develop interventions which improve patient outcomes. The purpose of this study was to qualitatively examine how patient/informal caregiver dyads mutually engage in managing the patient's HF at home. Twenty-seven dyads were interviewed using a theoretically derived interview guide. All interviews were digitally recorded and professionally transcribed, and iterative thematic analysis was conducted. Three descriptive themes emerged-Mutual engagement in self-care involves maintaining established patterns of engagement across the life course of the relationship, changing patterns according to whether it is day-to-day care or symptom management, and mobilizing the help of a third party as consultant. These themes reveal the dyadic conundrum-whether to change or remain the same in the face of a dynamic and progressive condition like HF. The themes suggest potential targets for intervention-interventions focused on the relationship or caregiver activation.
authors.affiliation: 1 University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Harleah G
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Buck
authors.affiliation: 2 Penn State College of Nursing, Hershey, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hupcey
authors.affiliation: 2 Penn State College of Nursing, Hershey, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Alexa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Watach
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D019468:Disease Management; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000451:nursing*; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology
keywords: dyad; intervention; life course; qualitative; symptom management