BACKGROUND: There are limited data on recall and implementation of lifestyle advice in patients with heart failure (HF). AIM: To investigate what advice patients with HF recall being given, and whether they report following the advice they remember. METHODS AND RESULTS: 3261 patients with suspected HF participating in the EuroHeart Failure Survey were interviewed by a health professional 12 weeks after hospital discharge. Patients recalled receiving 46% of pre-specified items of advice and 67% reported that they followed these completely. Both recall (53%) and implementation (71%) was best in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD). In multivariate analysis, younger age, male sex, patient awareness of the condition and patients reporting that they received a clear explanation of the diagnosis by a health professional, all factors associated with having LVSD, were the strongest predictors of recall. CONCLUSIONS: Recall of and adherence to advice by patients with HF in this large European cross-sectional survey was disappointing. Responsibility for patient education lies with health professionals who should ensure that patients receive and understand advice, and are able to recall and follow it. A greater awareness of the issues surrounding lifestyle advice and more evidence supporting its value could improve patient care.
BACKGROUND: There are limited data on recall and implementation of lifestyle advice in patients with heart failure (HF). AIM: To investigate what advice patients with HF recall being given, and whether they report following the advice they remember. METHODS AND RESULTS: 3261 patients with suspected HF participating in the EuroHeart Failure Survey were interviewed by a health professional 12 weeks after hospital discharge. Patients recalled receiving 46% of pre-specified items of advice and 67% reported that they followed these completely. Both recall (53%) and implementation (71%) was best in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD). In multivariate analysis, younger age, male sex, patient awareness of the condition and patients reporting that they received a clear explanation of the diagnosis by a health professional, all factors associated with having LVSD, were the strongest predictors of recall. CONCLUSIONS: Recall of and adherence to advice by patients with HF in this large European cross-sectional survey was disappointing. Responsibility for patient education lies with health professionals who should ensure that patients receive and understand advice, and are able to recall and follow it. A greater awareness of the issues surrounding lifestyle advice and more evidence supporting its value could improve patient care.
Authors: Richard Lowrie; Lina Johansson; Paul Forsyth; Stuart Lochhead Bryce; Susan McKellar; Niamh Fitzgerald Journal: Int J Clin Pharm Date: 2013-11-30
Authors: Marije Bosch; Trudy van der Weijden; Richard Grol; Henk Schers; Reinier Akkermans; Louis Niessen; Michel Wensing Journal: BMC Health Serv Res Date: 2009-06-19 Impact factor: 2.655