Patient perspectives of a heart failure action plan: A qualitative study

Individuals with heart failure (HF) have difficulty evaluating their symptoms, understanding when to seek health care, and implementing self‐care activities. The purpose of this qualitative study was to inform the development of a heart failure action plan (HFAP) for individuals living with HF. This...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nursing forum (Hillsdale) 2021-07, Vol.56 (3), p.513-519
Main Authors: Anderson, Kelley M., Awoke, Martha S., Barish, Rachel, Asano, Reiko, Yearwood, Edilma L.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Action
action plan
African Americans
Atrial fibrillation
Cardiovascular disease
Cardiovascular diseases
Clinical indicators
Content analysis
Coronary artery disease
Diabetes
Diet
Drug administration
Drugs
Health care
Health services utilization
Heart failure
Help seeking behavior
Hypertension
Kidney diseases
Nursing
Patient care planning
Patient compliance
Patient satisfaction
Perceptions
qualitative
Qualitative research
Rehabilitation
Self care
Symptom management
Symptoms
Understanding
Citations: Items that this one cites
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Individuals with heart failure (HF) have difficulty evaluating their symptoms, understanding when to seek health care, and implementing self‐care activities. The purpose of this qualitative study was to inform the development of a heart failure action plan (HFAP) for individuals living with HF. This study used a prospective, descriptive qualitative design with a content analysis approach. The HFAP included clinical indicators of self‐reported symptoms, adherence to medication regimen, and physiologic changes. Patients with HF reviewed the HFAP and provided their perceptions to assist in developing the action plan. Participants had a mean age of 65 years, predominately male (78%) and African American (89%). Comorbidities included hypertension, atrial fibrillation, chronic kidney disease, ischemic heart disease, valvular heart disease, and diabetes mellitus. Five thematic categories emerged: (1) Understanding of symptoms and symptom severity, (2) management of symptoms, (3) educational opportunities, (4) changes, and (5) satisfaction. Participants suggested adding content about exercise, diet, additional symptom management, and a compact portable HFAP. Participants provided their perceptions of the HFAP. Their feedback was instrumental in modifying the action plan for use in a broader HF patient population to assist patients in self‐management, including the understanding of when to seek health care.
ISSN:0029-6473
1744-6198
DOI:10.1111/nuf.12574