Windy Alonso1, Judith E Hupcey2, Lisa Kitko3. 1. Pennsylvania State University College of Nursing, 1300ASB/A110 90 Hope Drive, Hershey, PA 17033, USA. Electronic address: wwa103@psu.edu. 2. Pennsylvania State University College of Nursing, 1300ASB/A110 90 Hope Drive, Hershey, PA 17033, USA. 3. Penn State College of Nursing, 307H Nursing Sciences Building, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To assess perceptions of illness severity and terminality in caregivers of advanced heart failure (HF) patients and how these perceptions influence utilization of palliative care and end-of life services. BACKGROUND: HF is a terminal disease; yet patients and caregivers do not understand the severity of HF or acknowledge disease terminality. METHODS: This study was conducted using a qualitative design with in-depth interviews and content analysis. RESULTS: Most caregivers did not understand the severity of HF (68%) or disease terminality (67%). Patients were more likely to receive services when their caregivers expressed an understanding of illness severity and/or terminality. CONCLUSIONS: Inclusion of caregivers in discussions of goals of care, advance care planning, and palliative care and end-of-life services with patients and providers is imperative.
OBJECTIVES: To assess perceptions of illness severity and terminality in caregivers of advanced heart failure (HF) patients and how these perceptions influence utilization of palliative care and end-of life services. BACKGROUND: HF is a terminal disease; yet patients and caregivers do not understand the severity of HF or acknowledge disease terminality. METHODS: This study was conducted using a qualitative design with in-depth interviews and content analysis. RESULTS: Most caregivers did not understand the severity of HF (68%) or disease terminality (67%). Patients were more likely to receive services when their caregivers expressed an understanding of illness severity and/or terminality. CONCLUSIONS: Inclusion of caregivers in discussions of goals of care, advance care planning, and palliative care and end-of-life services with patients and providers is imperative.
Authors: Wayne C Levy; Dariush Mozaffarian; David T Linker; Santosh C Sutradhar; Stefan D Anker; Anne B Cropp; Inder Anand; Aldo Maggioni; Paul Burton; Mark D Sullivan; Bertram Pitt; Philip A Poole-Wilson; Douglas L Mann; Milton Packer Journal: Circulation Date: 2006-03-13 Impact factor: 29.690
Authors: Larry A Allen; Jonathan E Yager; Michele Jonsson Funk; Wayne C Levy; James A Tulsky; Margaret T Bowers; Gwen C Dodson; Christopher M O'Connor; G Michael Felker Journal: JAMA Date: 2008-06-04 Impact factor: 56.272
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: Patricia M Davidson; Amy P Abernethy; Phillip J Newton; Katherine Clark; David C Currow Journal: BMC Health Serv Res Date: 2013-09-03 Impact factor: 2.655