Karin Hellström Ängerud1, Kurt Boman2,3, Margareta Brännström1,4,5. 1. Department of Nursing, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden. 2. Research Unit Skellefteå, Department of Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden. 3. Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden. 4. The Arctic Research Centre, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden. 5. Centre for Person-Centred Care (GPCC), University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The complex needs of people with chronic heart failure (HF) place great demands on their family members, and it is important to ask family members about their perspectives on the quality of HF care. OBJECTIVE: To describe family members' perceptions of quality of HF care in an outpatient setting. METHODS: A cross-sectional study using a short form of the Quality from Patients' Perspective (QPP) questionnaire for data collection. The items in the questionnaire measure four dimensions of quality, and each item consists of both the perceived reality of the care and its subjective importance. The study included 57 family members of patients with severe HF in NYHA class III-IV. RESULTS: Family members reported areas for quality improvements in three out of four dimensions and in dimensionless items. The lowest level of perceived reality was reported for treatment for confusion and loss of appetite. Treatment for shortness of breath, access to the apparatus and access to equipment necessary for medical care were the items with the highest subjective importance for the family members. CONCLUSION: Family members identified important areas for quality improvement in the care for patients with HF in an outpatient setting. In particular, symptom alleviation, information to patients, patient participation and access to care were identified as areas for improvements. Thus, measuring quality from the family members' perspective with the QPP might be a useful additional perspective when it comes to the planning and implementation of changes in the organisation of HF care.
BACKGROUND: The complex needs of people with chronic heart failure (HF) place great demands on their family members, and it is important to ask family members about their perspectives on the quality of HF care. OBJECTIVE: To describe family members' perceptions of quality of HF care in an outpatient setting. METHODS: A cross-sectional study using a short form of the Quality from Patients' Perspective (QPP) questionnaire for data collection. The items in the questionnaire measure four dimensions of quality, and each item consists of both the perceived reality of the care and its subjective importance. The study included 57 family members of patients with severe HF in NYHA class III-IV. RESULTS: Family members reported areas for quality improvements in three out of four dimensions and in dimensionless items. The lowest level of perceived reality was reported for treatment for confusion and loss of appetite. Treatment for shortness of breath, access to the apparatus and access to equipment necessary for medical care were the items with the highest subjective importance for the family members. CONCLUSION: Family members identified important areas for quality improvement in the care for patients with HF in an outpatient setting. In particular, symptom alleviation, information to patients, patient participation and access to care were identified as areas for improvements. Thus, measuring quality from the family members' perspective with the QPP might be a useful additional perspective when it comes to the planning and implementation of changes in the organisation of HF care.
Authors: Anna Strömberg; Irene Lie; Ina Thon Aamodt; Edita Lycholip; Jelena Celutkiene; Thomas von Lueder; Dan Atar; Ragnhild Sørum Falk; Ragnhild Hellesø; Tiny Jaarsma Journal: J Med Internet Res Date: 2020-01-07 Impact factor: 5.428