| 1. |
- Säfström, Emma, 1980-
(författare)
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Continuity of care after hospitalization due to cardiac conditions : Patients' perceptions, validity and reliability of a measure, and associations with outcomes
- 2023
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background: Cardiac conditions are a common cause of hospitalization worldwide. The need for healthcare continues after hospital discharge and most commonly includes follow-up within primary healthcare centers or specialized outpatient cardiology clinics. This transition from the hospital to outpatient or primary-care settings jeopardizes the continuity of care. Continuity of care refers to the coordination of healthcare between different healthcare personnel and settings over time. There are three types of continuity of care: informational, relational, and management continuity. Continuity of care is essential after hospitalization due to cardiac conditions, and is associated with several positive clinical outcomes; however, available patient-reported measures of continuity of care during the posthospital period needs further validation. Accurate measurements would improve our ability to evaluate implementations designed to enhance continuity of care. Moreover, there is a lack of knowledge about whether the associations between continuity of care, perceived control, and self-care could explain variations in health-related quality of life and hospital readmissions in patients with cardiac conditions.Aim: The overall aim of this thesis was to contribute to improving care after hospitalization for patients with cardiac conditions by describing continuity of care from the patient’s perspective and increasing the understanding of how continuity of care can be measured and how it can influence patient outcomes.Method: All four studies had a cross-sectional design using a consecutive sampling procedure (I–IV). Study I was a single-center study and studies II–IV were multicenter studies. Data was collected using structured telephone interviews (I), questionnaires (II–IV), and review of medical charts (I–IV). The timescale for data collection ranged from one week (I) to six weeks after discharge (II–IV). The Patient Continuity of Care Questionnaire (PCCQ), a 27-item questionnaire to measure patients’ perceptions of continuity of care, was translated and culturally adapted to Swedish. The factor structure was reviewed (II), and a short version including 12 of the items was evaluated (III). A conceptual model was constructed to examine the associations between continuity of care, perceived control, self-care, health-related quality of life, and hospital readmissions (IV). The data was analyzed using descriptive and non-parametric statistics (I), confirmatory factor analysis, test-retest estimation (II), the Rasch measurement model (III), and structural equation modeling (SEM) (IV).Results: Patients in study I were hospitalized due to heart failure, and in study II–IV, patients hospitalized due to angina pectoris, atrial fibrillation, heart failure and myocardial infarction were included. Most patients received a written discharge summary. Despite this, many patients lacked knowledge about whom to contact regarding deterioration or questions after discharge. The patients described feeling unsafe and experienced a lack of clarity about their primary healthcare contact (I). The confirmatory factor analysis of the Swedish version of the PCCQ overall confirmed the sixfactor structure, but minor revisions were made to achieve a satisfactory model fit. The ordinal alpha for the subscales was satisfactory and ranged between 0.82 and 0.95 (II). In the 12-item short version (PCCQ-12) (III), two pairs of items showed signs of response dependence and the first two response options were disordered in all items. Apart from this, the PCCQ-12 was found to be a unidimensional questionnaire with sound psychometric properties and the ordinal alpha was 0.94. Patients most commonly reported lower levels of continuity of care on matters relating to management continuity after discharge. In particular, women, older patients, and those hospitalized due to angina pectoris reported lower levels of continuity. In study IV, the conceptual model suggested that patients who perceive higher levels of continuity of care also experience higher levels of perceived control and perform self-care to a greater extent, significantly improving their health-related quality of life and reducing the risk of hospital readmission. The association between continuity of care and self-care was mediated by perceived control.Conclusion: Patients’ perceptions of continuity of care after hospitalization due to cardiac conditions can be measured using the PCCQ. The longer, revised PCCQ can be used to evaluate the three types of continuity individually, and the PCCQ-12 can be used in a time-restricted setting or to reduce respondents’ burden. Even though most patients received a written discharge summary, this was not enough for them to perceive continuity of care after hospitalization. An area of concern is management continuity and elderly patients, women, and those hospitalized due to angina pectoris. Finally, according to the conceptual model, interventions aiming to improve health-related quality of life or reduce readmission should include actions to facilitate continuity of care.
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| 2. |
- Andréasson, Frida
(författare)
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Doing informal care : Identity, couplehood, social health and information and communication technologies in older people’s everyday lives
- 2021
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The aim of the thesis has been a) to analyse how informal care influences the identity of carers and care recipients, their sense of couplehood and social health, and b) to explore the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the context of informal care and the everyday lives of older people. Study I focused on how older carers conceptualised their identity as carers on a Swedish online social forum, using a netnographic methodology. The findings indicated a change in self-perception as the carer role was acquired. Carers’ capacities were filtered through the needs of the care recipient, making their carer identities into invisible selves. The findings revealed that online communication had the potential to create a virtual space of social recognition. Study II aimed to reflect on carers’ experiences of participation in a co-design process consisting of user group sessions with carers and researchers. The goal was to develop a web-based support programme for carers. The findings emphasised a need to consider carers’ lifeworlds and to develop flexible human-centred design methodologies, that are able to balance carers’ needs and ideas with proposed research outcomes. Studies III and IV utilised an ethnographic methodology. In study III, the notion of couplehood in informal care was analysed. The findings showed that in the process of becoming a carer and a care recipient previous (often gendered) responsibilities were re- negotiated and new practicalities emerged. Although these changes were understood as a natural part of family life, they nevertheless led to changes in the (power) balance between spouses, expressed in terms of a professionalised relationship and a sense of social isolation. ICT was used as a means to get a respite from caring and uphold a social connection with others. In study IV, the social implications and consequences of spousal informal care and carers and care recipients’ experiences of illness and the ill body was explored. The findings showed that the participants experienced barriers to living life as before. Thoughts about or the presence of ill and “leaking” bodies thus lead to “self-chosen” social isolation or social distancing by others. The thesis highlights that informal care needs to be understood as an identity forming practice, having a significant impact on involved parties’ sense of couplehood, their social health and that ICT can contribute to ease carers’ and care recipients’ daily life.
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| 3. |
- Israelsson, Johan, 1970-
(författare)
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Health-related quality of life after cardiac arrest
- 2020
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background: Cardiac arrest is a major health problem worldwide. For many of the afflicted, cardiac arrest is the natural end of life. For others, it is an unexpected event suddenly striking in the middle of life. During the last decades, major efforts in treatment have contributed to more people surviving their cardiac arrest. However, previous research has mainly focused on survival, while the knowledge about health-related quality of life in survivors is sparse. Hence, there is a need for more research in order to extend the knowledge about the living situations among survivors and their spouses. For example, factors associated with health-related quality of life are not sufficiently investigated. Knowledge about such factors is important in order to develop interventions and to be able to improve post cardiac arrest care. In addition, existing research shows incongruent results concerning differences in characteristics and survival between men and women. In order to provide equitable care between sexes, further studies are warranted. Aim: The overall aim of this thesis was to increase the knowledge of survival and health-related quality of life among people suffering cardiac arrest with focus on sex and other related factors. The specific aims were: to describe in-hospital cardiac arrest events with regard to sex and investigate if sex is associated with survival after controlling for known predictors and interaction effects (study I), to describe health status and psychological distress among in-hospital cardiac arrest survivors in relation to sex (study II), to investigate factors associated with health-related quality of life among cardiac arrest survivors treated with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator in relation to sex, and to compare their health-related quality of life with a general population, (study III) and to investigate if type D personality and perceived control among cardiac arrest survivors and their spouses were associated with their own and their partners’ health-related quality of life (study IV). Methods: The general design in all studies (I-IV) was quantitative, cross-sectional and correlational. This thesis is based on four different data collections. Data was systematically collected using national quality registries (I and II) or by sending questionnaires to survivors (III and IV) and their spouses (IV), treated at several different hospitals in Sweden. The sample size varied between 126 and 990 across the studies. The outcomes and explanatory study variables were chosen with respect to Wilson and Cleary’s conceptual model of health-related quality of life. The main outcome variables were survival after resuscitation, survival at hospital discharge, survival at 30 days post cardiac arrest (I), and health-related quality of life measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (II and III) and the EuroQol-5 dimensions (II-IV). In this thesis descriptive and inferential statistics were applied. The main statistics consisted of logistic and linear regression analyses, and structural equation modelling. Results: Male sex was associated with a better chance of survival to hospital discharge, but no associations between sex and survival after resuscitation or at 30 days were identified. More men than women received resuscitation attempts when suffering an in-hospital cardiac arrest (study I). Health-related quality of life among most cardiac arrest survivors was good (II-IV), even when compared to a general population (III). However, a significant proportion reported low health status and symptoms of anxiety and depression (II and III). Women reported worse health-related quality of life compared to men, and female sex was associated with poorer health-related quality of life in the multiple regression models (II and III). Several additional factors were identified to be associated with poorer health-related quality of life: being unemployed, having a type D personality, perceiving less control, suffering from more comorbidities and suffering from more ICD-related concerns (III). In addition, older age was associated with poorer (EQ VAS) or better (HADS Anxiety) health-related quality of life, depending of outcome measure (II). Moreover, perceived control and type D personality among the survivors were associated with health-related quality of life among their spouses, but not vice versa. Conclusions: Although, sex does not appear to be an important predictor for survival, the difference between men and women regarding the proportion of resuscitation attempts should be further investigated. The majority of survivors and their spouses report good health-related quality of life similar to general populations. However, a substantial proportion suffer from health problems. Since women in general report worse health-related quality of life compared to men a higher proportion of women may be in need of support. Several factors associated with worse health-related quality of life were identified and might be used during follow-up and rehabilitation. For example, identifying type D personality might be important when screening patients at risk for health problems. Perceiving more control could be targeted by health-supportive interventions, for example person-centered care. Healthcare professionals should make efforts to identify survivors at risk of poor health-related quality of life and offer individualized support when needed. Characteristics among survivors were associated with health-related quality of life in their spouses. Including spouses in follow-up care is therefore important. Wilson and Cleary’s conceptual model for health-related quality of life appears to be applicable for choosing outcomes in cardiac arrest research and might be helpful when designing interventions to improve post cardiac arrest care.
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| 4. |
- Allemann, Hanna, 1979-
(författare)
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Online support for informal carers of persons with heart failure : Focus on perceptions, development and experiences
- 2023
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background: Heart failure (HF) is a common condition, and its prevalence is expected to increase. The illness trajectory is unpredictable, and its effects will include a potential impact on informal carers, i.e., family, friends, and significant others. Sometimes these persons are affected by the help and care they provide in such a way that they might themselves need support. However, they may be unrecognised in their endeavours, and might also experience a lack of support, especially from healthcare. Online solutions are considered to have the potential to provide accessible support to carers that is also anticipated to be cost-effective. Aim: This thesis focuses on support to informal carers to persons living with HF, but also take the viewpoint of the person with HF by exploring social supports associations with their health and well-being. The overall aim was to explore perceptions, development, and experiences of online support for informal carers. Method: This thesis comprises four studies. Study I had a cross-sectional design using self-reported data and data from the Swedish Pace-maker and ICD Registry. Data from 1,550 persons with HF who were living with an ICD and who had complete data on the outcome variable were utilised for both descriptive analysis and logistic regression. The outcome variable, perceived social support, was measured using the questionnaire Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), which includes measuring support from significant others, family, and friends. The logistic regression was conducted to compare those dichotomised as having low/medium perceived social support to those having high levels of support. Study II had a qualitative design, and data were collected through 8 focus groups with 23 informal carers of persons with HF to explore their perceptions of how online solutions could be of value for support. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Study III had a descriptive design. It describes the co-design process of an online support pro-gramme for carers through three phases. In phase I, topics and content that reflected carers needs and preferences were identified. In phase II, the content for the support programme was developed and through phase III the content was refined and finalised. Informal carers participated in every phase, and the co-design process also involved professionals with expertise in, for example, HF and caregiving, for the development of content. It was an iterative process, moving back and forth between phases, and the re-search group acted as coordinators and ensured that carers’ voices were kept central to the process. Study IV had a qualitative design, and data were collected through individual semi-structured interviews with 15 carers. Interviews were analysed using qualitative content analysis. The study focused on informal carers' experiences of online, co-designed support pro-gramme while being participants in a randomised controlled trial (RCT) that has the aim of studying the effects of engaging with the programme. Results: The findings show that one in five diagnosed with HF and living with an ICD reported low/medium levels of social support and that these persons had higher odds of negative psychosocial outcomes. This un-derscores the value and importance of support from informal carers for the well-being of those with HF. The thesis focused on perceptions, development, and experiences of online support for informal carers. The findings suggest that a co-designed support programme has the potential to be usable and useful for carers considering the online format and its content. It may provide insights, preparedness, and validation in relation to being a carer of a person with HF. However, carers may have an ‘ambiguous stance’ towards the online format and going online for support may not be the preferred form of support for all carers. Conclusion: A co-designed online support programme, when built on a trusted platform within a healthcare context, may be considered both usable and useful for carers. The online format and content also provide the potential to offer timely and adaptable support. The content, developed in a collaboration between carers and professionals, offers evidence-based, relevant information, thereby possibly avoiding seeming impersonal, which can also be beneficial. The programme acknowledges the intertwined lives of carers and those with HF, and its content reflects this, potentially also enhancing its perception as usable and useful for carers. Still, the potential of the support programme depends on carers being aware of its existence, or being made aware, and can further recognise its value. The support programme is considered to have the capacity to be relevant for a broad group of carers, and therefore efforts may be of importance to ensure it is accessed and utilised. However, it is also important to take into account that not everyone may be willing or able to go online for support, or may wish to stay in a caring role. Healthcare also needs to recognise this when offering support to carers and the online support may be regarded an option among several.
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| 5. |
- Waldemar, Annette, 1969-
(författare)
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In-hospital family-witnessed adult resuscitation : Perspectives of patients, families and healthcare professionals
- 2023
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background Several international organizations recommend family-witnessed resuscitation (FWR) in hospitals, which means that the family should be offered to be present during resuscitation. These recommendations are based on research that shows that it is usually beneficial for the family to be present. The family can see that everything was done for the patient, they can say goodbye, they acknowledge that the patient passed away and the grieving process is facilitated. However, research has yet to examine how FWR affects the patient and family members who were present during the cardiac arrest and what it is like to live on with the shared experience. Healthcare professionals (HCPs) in general are sceptical of FWR, and current guidelines that recommend FWR have not made a significant im-pact in healthcare. HCPs believe that FWR could worsen the outcome for the patient and that the family could be psychologically damaged by being present during resuscitation.HCPs also express uncertainty about how to act during FWR, because they have not received education or training about FWR. There is a need for research concerning the outcomes of FWR in hospitalized adult patients. Research on the experiences, attitudes, and self-confidence of HCPs in Sweden in relation to FWR, as well as the shared experiences of patients and families, is lacking. There is also lack of research exploring whether an educational intervention can have a positive impact on attitudes and self-confidence among HCPs. Overall Aim The overall aim of this thesis was to describe the prevalence, processes, and outcomes of FWR; explore experiences and attitudes towards FWR among patients, families, and HCPs; and to further develop and test an educational intervention addressing HCP. Methods This thesis includes four studies, where the first study used a cross-sectional design (I), Study II was a retrospective observational cohort study, Study III was a qualitative study, and Study IV used a quasi-experimental design. The sample size ranged between 15-4846 participants across the studies. Data was collected through web surveys (I, IV), registers (II), and narrative face-to-face interviews (III). Descriptive and correlational statis-tics were used in the quantitative studies (I-II, IV) and interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) in the qualitative study (III). A 10-minute educational video was developed, pilot tested, and used as intervention in Study IV. The video was based on previous research covering the prevalence and outcome of FWR, attitudes among HCPs, patient and family experiences, and FWR guidelines. Results It was significantly more common that a family member was on site if the cardiac arrest occurred in acute settings such as emergency departments and intensive care units than in hospital wards (44% vs. 26%, p<0.001). In total, 395 patients (12 %) had family on site when the cardiac arrest occurred, in 186 of these cardiac arrests the family chose to witness resuscitation. (II). The mean time from initiation to termination of resuscitation was significantly longer if a family member was present (17.7 vs. 20.7 minutes, p=0.020) (II). There were no significant differences in survival rate between FWR and non-FWR, neither immediately after resuscitation (57% vs. 53%, p=0.291) nor in 30-day survival (35% vs. 29%, p=0.086) (II). HCPs reported a wide range of experiences regarding FWR (I, IV). More nurses (70%) than physicians (49%) expressed positive experiences in Study I, while in Study IV, the proportions were the opposite, with 52% of physicians and 33% of nurses reporting positive experiences. Regarding attitudes, the results from Study IV show a more positive attitude towards offering the family the opportunity to be with the patient during CPR compared to Study I. In Study IV, 77.1% of nurses and 58.1% of physicians reported a positive attitude towards FWR, while in Study I, 58.7% of nurses and 29.2% of physicians were positive. Performing defibrillation, administering drug therapies, and providing chest compressions during FWR were not considered to be a problem for either physicians or nurses. Nevertheless, being able to identify family members who demonstrate appropriate coping behaviours was more difficult, and 27% of nurses and 37% of physicians reported that they had no confidence in performing this task. Furthermore, 52.7% of nurses and 69.4% of physicians were not comfortable encouraging family members to talk to the patient during resuscitation (IV). In Study I, none of the included hospitals reported having local guidelines about FWR, while 18.6% reported that they had guidelines seven years later when Study IV was per-formed. The results suggest that the educational intervention had a positive influence on HCPs’ self-confidence during FWR (3.83±0.70 to 4.02±0.70, p<0.001) and their attitudes towards FWR (3.38±0.49 to 3.62±0.48, p<0.001) (IV). Patients and families describe powerlessness in the face of life's fragility, but also faith in life after experiencing and surviving a sudden cardiac arrest together. Even though the participants felt exposed and vulnerable in the care relationship and lacked a sense of control and continuity, they had hope and re-evaluated life, lived in the moment and saw the value in everyday life. The love they felt for people who were important to them and the gratitude for life increased after the cardiac arrest. The desire for freedom and independence also increased (III). Conclusion Surviving as well as witnessing an in-hospital cardiac arrest is a critical event making patients and family members vulnerable. To meet their needs, HCPs should routinely invite the family to witness resuscitation if it is deemed to be safe. HCPs need to show compassion and evaluate how family members are coping during the process and provide support and in-formation during and after resuscitation. Processes and outcomes do not seem to be negatively affected by FWR, even though there is some resistance to FWR among HCPs. These obstacles must be considered when planning for the implementation of FWR in daily practice. A short online educational video can be a way to improve the self-confidence and attitudes towards FWR among HCPs. This will likely result in increased compliance with national and local guidelines that recommend FWR.
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| 6. |
- Ericsson, Maria, 1970-
(författare)
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No time to waste : Pre-hospital actions and time delays in patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction – temporal trends and prognostic impact on short- and long-term survival
- 2022
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background: In ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients, a rapid diagnosis is imperative to reduce total ischaemic time minimizing risk for heart failure, serious arrhythmias, or death. Prehospital context is complex, and the patient delay constitute major part of the pre-hospital phase. Patient delay has been prone hard to impact but the system delay has had major transformation during the years. Aim: The overall aim was to explore pre-hospital actions and time delays in STEMI patients, investigating temporal trends and estimate prognostic impact on short- and long-term survival. Methods: Study I, was a multicentre survey study, exploring decisions, and actions in relation to the choice of first medical contact (FMC). Study II was a sub-study to the multicentre survey, exploring the interaction between tele nurses and callers in authentic calls when the caller with an evolving myocardial infarction (MI) chose to call Swedish health care direct (SHD) as FMC. Study III, was based on the same database as study I, exploring early (< 20 minutes) and late (> 90 minutes) response from symptom onset in STEMI patients. Study IV, was based on SWEDEHEART-registry, investigating temporal trends in pre-specified risk groups for pro-longed pre-hospital delay times (PHDT), estimating cumulative survival in short and long term stratified in six different PHDT groups. Results: Study I, only half of the patients’ contacted emergency medical services (EMS) as their FMC. Choice of FMC prolonged time to diagnosis in relation of calling EMS. Choosing SHD pro-longed delay to diagnosis with 38 minutes. Study II, four interactions were found between tele-nurses and callers, reasoning, distinct, irrational, and indecisive, and type of interaction could lead or mislead the call moving progressively forward or not. Study III, bystanders calling EMS, men, intensive and alarming symptoms such as dyspnoea and weakness and to interpret symptoms attributed from the heart was associated with a rapid action calling an ambulance within 20 minutes, which was performed by one of five patients. Study IV, trend curves for median PHDT was hump shaped for the 20 years studied. Women, older age, and patients with diabetes had consistent pro-longed PHDT, except for the oldest patients (> 80 years). PHDT was an independent risk for short- and long-term survival. Patients with the shortest PHDT 0-1 hour had the highest mortality up to five days. In five-year follow up this group accompanied with the group within 1-2 hours had highest estimated survival. Conclusion: Pre-hospital delay is an independent predictor of short- and long-term survival. To interpret symptom correctly and knowledge in how to act, calling an ambulance rapidly, impact time to diagnosis and diminish time delays. Pre-hospital delay merits further attention regarding future interventions.
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| 7. |
- Aamodt, Ina Thon, et al.
(författare)
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Self-Care Monitoring of Heart Failure Symptoms and Lung Impedance at Home Following Hospital Discharge: Longitudinal Study
- 2020
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Ingår i: Journal of Medical Internet Research. - : JMIR PUBLICATIONS, INC. - 1438-8871. ; 22:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Self-care is key to the daily management of chronic heart failure (HF). After discharge from hospital, patients may struggle to recognize and respond to worsening HF symptoms. Failure to monitor and respond to HF symptoms may lead to unnecessary hospitalizations. Objective: This study aimed to (1) determine the feasibility of lung impedance measurements and a symptom diary to monitor HF symptoms daily at home for 30 days following hospital discharge and (2) determine daily changes in HF symptoms of pulmonary edema, lung impedance measurements, and if self-care behavior improves over time when patients use these self-care monitoring tools. Methods: This study used a prospective longitudinal design including patients from cardiology wards in 2 university hospitals-one in Norway and one in Lithuania. Data on HF symptoms and pulmonary edema were collected from 10 participants (mean age 64.5 years; 90% (9/10) male) with severe HF (New York Heart Association classes III and IV) who were discharged home after being hospitalized for an HF condition. HF symptoms were self-reported using the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale for Heart Failure. Pulmonary edema was measured by participants using a noninvasive lung impedance monitor, the Cardio Set Edema Guard Monitor. Informal caregivers aided the participants with the noninvasive measurements. Results: The prevalence and burden of shortness of breath varied from participants experiencing them daily to never, whereas lung impedance measurements varied for individual participants and the group participants, as a whole. Self-care behavior score improved significantly (P=.007) from a median of 56 (IQR range 22-75) at discharge to a median of 81 (IQR range 72-98) 30 days later. Conclusions: Noninvasive measurement of lung impedance daily and the use of a symptom diary were feasible at home for 30 days in HF patients. Self-care behavior significantly improved after 30 days of using a symptom diary and measuring lung impedance at home. Further research is needed to determine if daily self-care monitoring of HF signs and symptoms, combined with daily lung impedance measurements, may reduce hospital readmissions.
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| 8. |
- Aamodt, Ina Thon, et al.
(författare)
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Tools to Support Self-Care Monitoring at Home: Perspectives of Patients with Heart Failure
- 2020
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Ingår i: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. - : MDPI. - 1661-7827 .- 1660-4601. ; 17:23
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Self-care monitoring at home can be a challenge for patients with heart failure (HF). Tools that leverage information and communication technology (ICT), comprise medical devices, or have written material may support their efforts at home. The aim of this study was to describe HF patients experiences and their prioritization of tools that support, or could support, self-care monitoring at home. A descriptive qualitative design employing semi-structured interviews was used with HF patients living at home and attending an HF outpatient clinic in Norway. We used a deductive analysis approach, using the concept of self-care monitoring with ICT tools, paper-based tools, medical devices, and tools to consult with healthcare professionals (HCPs) as the categorization matrix. Nineteen HF patients with a mean age of 64 years participated. ICT tools are used by individual participants to identify changes in their HF symptoms, but are not available by healthcare services. Paper-based tools, medical devices, and face-to-face consultation with healthcare professionals are traditional tools that are available and used by individual participants. HF patients use traditional and ICT tools to support recognizing, identifying, and responding to HF symptoms at home, suggesting that they could be used if they are available and supplemented by in-person consultation with HCPs.
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| 9. |
- Andreae, Christina, 1969-, et al.
(författare)
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Changes in Appetite During the Heart Failure Trajectory and Association With Fatigue, Depressive Symptoms, and Quality of Life
- 2021
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Ingår i: Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing. - : Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. - 0889-4655 .- 1550-5049. ; 36:6, s. 539-545
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Decreased appetite can contribute to malnutrition in patients with heart failure (HF). Little is known about the trajectory of appetite over time in patients with HF and the factors associated with decreased appetite after discharge from the hospital.OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to investigate changes in appetite over time and explore how fatigue, depressive symptoms, and quality of life are associated with decreased appetite.METHODS: Data from the multicenter randomized Coordinating study evaluating Outcomes of Advising and Counseling in Heart Failure were used. Logistic regression and mixed-effects logistic regression were used to investigate changes in appetite over time and to explore the relationship between appetite and fatigue, depressive symptoms, and quality of life.RESULTS: A total of 734 patients with HF (mean age, 69 years) were included. Decreased appetite was present at all follow-up measurements; however, decreased appetite was significantly lower at the 1-month (odds ratio [OR], 0.43; confidence interval [CI], 0.29-0.63), 6-month (OR, 0.31; CI, 0.20-0.47), 12-month (OR, 0.22; CI, 0.14-0.34), and 18-month (OR, 0.24; CI, 0.15-0.37) follow-ups compared with baseline. Decreased appetite was associated with fatigue (OR, 3.09; CI, 1.98-4.84), depressive symptoms (OR, 1.76; CI, 1.35-2.29), and low quality of life (OR, 1.01; CI, 1.01-1.02) across all measurement points adjusted for covariates.CONCLUSIONS: Appetite improved after discharge; however, at all time points, at least 22% of patients reported decreased appetite. Fatigue, depressive symptoms, and low quality of life are factors associated with decreased appetite. Decreased appetite is a long-standing problem in that it does not disappear spontaneously after an acute HF deterioration.
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| 10. |
- Ben Gal, Tuvia, et al.
(författare)
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Psychometric Testing of the Hebrew Version of the European Heart Failure Self-Care Behaviour Scale
- 2020
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Ingår i: Heart, Lung and Circulation. - : Elsevier. - 1443-9506 .- 1444-2892. ; :7, s. E121-E130
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: The assessment of self-care behaviour is important for tailoring care to patients and evaluating the effectiveness of heart failure (HF) disease-management programmes. The European HF Self-care Behaviour (EHFScB) scale is a validated instrument used worldwide.AIM: The purpose of the study was to evaluate psychometric properties of the Hebrew version of the nine-item EHFScB scale in Israeli patients with HF.METHOD: To develop the Hebrew version of the EHFScB scale, forward and back translation was performed. The psychometric evaluation was based on data from 102 patients with HF (mean age 61±12 yr, male 75%, New York Heart Association [NYHA] class II 42% and NYHA class III 51%) included in two cross-sectional studies performed in 2007 and 2015-2017 in an Israeli hospital. Content validity, construct validity, known-groups validity, and discriminant validity were assessed. Reliability was evaluated with internal consistency.RESULTS: Content validity and useability were confirmed by HF experts and patients with HF. Construct validity was tested using factor analysis and two factors were extracted (factor 1: consulting behaviour; factor 2: adherence to the regimen). Known-groups validity testing revealed a significant difference before and after an educational intervention in the total score (n=40 [41.6±23.8] vs [67.6±21.8]; p<0.01). A weak correlation between the self-care score and health-related quality of life (r= -0.299, p<0.01) was observed, showing that these concepts were related but not overlapping. Cronbach's alpha was 0.78 for the total scale, 0.76 for factor 1, and 0.68 for factor 2, suggesting that the internal consistency of this scale was acceptable.CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides support for the useability, validity, and reliability of the nine-item Hebrew version of the EHFScB scale.
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