PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Chronic heart failure patients have palliative care needs that include psychosocial and spiritual support, particularly towards the end of life, when breathlessness and resultant immobility become increasingly severe. This review informs clinicians of the importance of understanding, assessing and managing patients' psychosocial and spiritual needs. RECENT FINDINGS: The high prevalence of depression (9-77.5%) among chronic heart failure patients is well documented. Clinical assessment and treatment of depression and anxiety are key to good patient care, although no model for assessment has been agreed. Evidence suggests that social support and spiritual belief are important coping resources, but there is a dearth of research into social and spiritual distress in chronic heart failure. Patients rarely access social services support, and family carers experience considerable burden. Little is known about how psychosocial and spiritual variables influence each other, and the impact of social and spiritual distress on outcomes such as quality of life. SUMMARY: We hope this review will inform cardiac and palliative care staff about the prevalence of psychosocial and spiritual distress in advanced chronic heart failure, and highlight the importance of their assessment and management. There is an urgent need for research in this field, including the rigorous development and evaluation of service models and nonpharmacological interventions.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Chronic heart failurepatients have palliative care needs that include psychosocial and spiritual support, particularly towards the end of life, when breathlessness and resultant immobility become increasingly severe. This review informs clinicians of the importance of understanding, assessing and managing patients' psychosocial and spiritual needs. RECENT FINDINGS: The high prevalence of depression (9-77.5%) among chronic heart failurepatients is well documented. Clinical assessment and treatment of depression and anxiety are key to good patient care, although no model for assessment has been agreed. Evidence suggests that social support and spiritual belief are important coping resources, but there is a dearth of research into social and spiritual distress in chronic heart failure. Patients rarely access social services support, and family carers experience considerable burden. Little is known about how psychosocial and spiritual variables influence each other, and the impact of social and spiritual distress on outcomes such as quality of life. SUMMARY: We hope this review will inform cardiac and palliative care staff about the prevalence of psychosocial and spiritual distress in advanced chronic heart failure, and highlight the importance of their assessment and management. There is an urgent need for research in this field, including the rigorous development and evaluation of service models and nonpharmacological interventions.
Authors: Joseph G Rogers; Chetan B Patel; Robert J Mentz; Bradi B Granger; Karen E Steinhauser; Mona Fiuzat; Patricia A Adams; Adam Speck; Kimberly S Johnson; Arun Krishnamoorthy; Hongqiu Yang; Kevin J Anstrom; Gwen C Dodson; Donald H Taylor; Jerry L Kirchner; Daniel B Mark; Christopher M O'Connor; James A Tulsky Journal: J Am Coll Cardiol Date: 2017-07-18 Impact factor: 24.094
Authors: Robert J Mentz; James A Tulsky; Bradi B Granger; Kevin J Anstrom; Patricia A Adams; Gwen C Dodson; Mona Fiuzat; Kimberly S Johnson; Chetan B Patel; Karen E Steinhauser; Donald H Taylor; Christopher M O'Connor; Joseph G Rogers Journal: Am Heart J Date: 2014-07-30 Impact factor: 4.749
Authors: Fabiana Cristina Dos Santos; Tamara G R Macieira; Yingwei Yao; Samantha Hunter; Olatunde O Madandola; Hwayoung Cho; Ragnhildur I Bjarnadottir; Karen Dunn Lopez; Diana J Wilkie; Gail M Keenan Journal: J Palliat Med Date: 2022-01-26 Impact factor: 2.947
Authors: Eiran Z Gorodeski; Parag Goyal; Scott L Hummel; Ashok Krishnaswami; Sarah J Goodlin; Linda L Hart; Daniel E Forman; Nanette K Wenger; James N Kirkpatrick; Karen P Alexander Journal: J Am Coll Cardiol Date: 2018-05-01 Impact factor: 24.094