Background. Heart Failure is highly prevalent with poor outcomes yet only a small proportion of patients receive specialist palliative care services. Aim. To explore if a programme focussing on support and symptom management of people with heart failure in a hospice environment would be acceptable and of benefit to patients. Methods: A pre/post intervention study design using mixed methods was used to evaluate the programme. The programme was delivered in two-hour time slots over a period of 8 weeks. Participants completed 3 questionnaires pre and post and were interviewed within one week of completion. The study was conducted between June 2014 and January 2015. Findings. A response rate of 51.7% gave a final sample size of 12 patients. The questionnaire results showed a positive impact on participants’ well-being and views regarding the use of a hospice, but a desire for greater focus on emotional support. Four key themes emerged from inductive qualitative analysis: demystifying perceptions about hospice; positivity about well-being; learning together and consideration of end of life preparation. Conclusion. This adapted programme provides a useful model for the increased integration of palliative care into the provisions for those living with advancing heart failure.
Walthall, HelenRoberts, Christie Butcher, DanSchutz, Sue
Department of NursingFaculty of Health and Life Sciences
Year of publication: 2020Date of RADAR deposit: 2020-02-28
“This document is the Accepted Manuscript version of a Published Work that appeared in final form in International Journal of Palliative Nursing, copyright © MA Healthcare, after peer review and technical editing by the publisher. To access the final edited and published work see https://doi.org/10.12968/ijpn.2020.26.6.292."