Managing Patients With Heart Failure: A Qualitative Study of Multidisciplinary Teams With Specialist Heart Failure Nurses

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions and experiences of health care clinicians working in multidisciplinary teams that include specialist heart failure nurses when caring for the management of heart failure patients. Methods We used a qualitative in-depth intervi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Annals of family medicine 2015-09, Vol.13 (5), p.466-471
Main Authors: Glogowska, Margaret, PhD, Simmonds, Rosemary, MSc, McLachlan, Sarah, PhD, Cramer, Helen, PhD, Sanders, Tom, PhD, Johnson, Rachel, BMBCh, Kadam, Umesh T., PhD, Lasserson, Daniel S., MD, Purdy, Sarah, MD
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Attitude of Health Personnel
Communication
Disease Management
England
Heart Failure - therapy
Humans
Internal Medicine
Interviews as Topic
Nurse Clinicians - psychology
Original Research
Patient Care Team - standards
Physicians - psychology
Qualitative Research
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Summary:Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions and experiences of health care clinicians working in multidisciplinary teams that include specialist heart failure nurses when caring for the management of heart failure patients. Methods We used a qualitative in-depth interview study nested in a broader ethnographic study of unplanned admissions in heart failure patients (HoldFAST). We interviewed 24 clinicians across primary, secondary, and community care in 3 locations in the Midlands, South Central, and South West of England. Results Within a framework of the role and contribution of the heart failure specialist nurse, our study identified 2 thematic areas that the clinicians agreed still represent particular challenges when working with heart failure patients. The first was communication with patients, in particular explaining the diagnosis and helping patients to understand the condition. The participants recognized that such communication was most effective when they had a long-term relationship with patients and families and that the specialist nurse played an important part in achieving this relationship. The second was communication within the team. Multidisciplinary input was especially needed because of the complexity of many patients and issues around medications, and the participants believed the specialist nurse may facilitate team communication. Conclusions The study highlights the role of specialist heart failure nurses in delivering education tailored to patients and facilitating better liaison among all clinicians, particularly when dealing with the management of comorbidities and drug regimens. The way in which specialist nurses were able to be caseworkers for their patients was perceived as a method of ensuring coordination and continuity of care.
ISSN:1544-1709
1544-1717
DOI:10.1370/afm.1845