INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to explore the perspectives of health care professionals (HCPs) on the transition of heart failure (HF) patients to a palliative care approach. METHOD: Qualitative data were generated from 24 HCPs specializing in cardiology, care for the elderly, and palliative care. Data were analyzed using the principles of thematic analysis. RESULTS: Emergent themes related to the unpredictable trajectory of HF, causing prognostic ambiguity; the use of structured pathways in end-of-life decision making; and comparison of HF and cancer patients in terms of their requirements and access to high-quality palliative care. CONCLUSION: There is a need for both established prognostic guidelines and further education to develop the communication skills to facilitate end-of-life discussions with HF patients.
INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to explore the perspectives of health care professionals (HCPs) on the transition of heart failure (HF) patients to a palliative care approach. METHOD: Qualitative data were generated from 24 HCPs specializing in cardiology, care for the elderly, and palliative care. Data were analyzed using the principles of thematic analysis. RESULTS: Emergent themes related to the unpredictable trajectory of HF, causing prognostic ambiguity; the use of structured pathways in end-of-life decision making; and comparison of HF and cancerpatients in terms of their requirements and access to high-quality palliative care. CONCLUSION: There is a need for both established prognostic guidelines and further education to develop the communication skills to facilitate end-of-life discussions with HF patients.
Authors: Dio Kavalieratos; Arif H Kamal; Amy P Abernethy; Andrea K Biddle; Timothy S Carey; Sandesh Dev; Bryce B Reeve; Morris Weinberger Journal: J Palliat Med Date: 2014-03-03 Impact factor: 2.947
Authors: Dio Kavalieratos; Emma M Mitchell; Timothy S Carey; Sandesh Dev; Andrea K Biddle; Bryce B Reeve; Amy P Abernethy; Morris Weinberger Journal: J Am Heart Assoc Date: 2014-01-02 Impact factor: 5.501
Authors: Rebecca N Hutchinson; Caitlin Gutheil; Benjamin S Wessler; Hayley Prevatt; Douglas B Sawyer; Paul K J Han Journal: J Am Heart Assoc Date: 2020-08-31 Impact factor: 5.501