Professionals guidance about palliative medicine in chronic heart failure: a mixed-method study

Stephanie M C Ament*, Marieke van den Beuken-Everdingen, José M C Maessen, Josiane Boyne, Jos M G A Schols, Henri E J H Stoffers, Louise Bellersen, Hans-Peter Brunner-La Rocca, Yvonne Engels, Daisy J A Janssen

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Healthcare professionals (HCPs) experience difficulties in timely recognising and directing palliative care (PC) needs of their patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). The aim of this study was to develop a comprehensive tool to enable HCPs in timely recognising and directing PC needs in CHF.

METHODS: A four-stage mixed-method study was performed. Stage 1: identification of needs and questions of patients and families; stage 2: prioritisation and refinement of the needs and questions; stage 3a: testing and online feedback on V.1; stage 3b: selecting and refining care recommendations; stage 4: testing and review of V.2. Iterative reviews followed each step in the development process to ensure a wide range of stakeholder input. In total, 16 patients, 12 family members and 54 HCPs participated.

RESULTS: A comprehensive set of 13 PC needs was identified, redefined and tested. The resulting tool, called Identification of patients with HeARt failure with PC needs (I-HARP), contains an introduction prompt with open questions to start the conversation, 13 closed screening questions with additional in-depth questions, and recommendations on actions for identified needs.

CONCLUSION: I-HARP contains an evidence-based set of questions and palliative CHF care suggestions for HCPs in the Netherlands. The resulting tool, approved by HCPs, patients and family members, is a promising guidance for HCP to timely recognise and direct PC needs in CHF.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)e1858-e1865
JournalBMJ Supportive and Palliative Care
Volume14
Early online date26 Nov 2020
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024

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