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Author Spotlight: Workflow for Integrating POCUS Data into EHR for Managing Heart Failure Patients
Published on: July 12, 2024
Competence, Compassion, and Care of the Self: Family Caregiving Needs and Concerns in Heart Failure
Barbara-Jean Sullivan1, Linda Marcuccilli, Rebecca Sloan
1Barbara-Jean Sullivan, PhD Clinical Assistant Professor Emerita, School of Nursing, University of Michigan, and Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan Health Services, Ann Arbor.Linda Marcuccilli, PhD, RN Associate Professor, American Sentinel University, Aurora, Colorado.Rebecca Sloan, PhD, RN Associate Professor Emerita, School of Nursing, Indiana University, Indianapolis.Irmina Gradus-Pizlo, MD Associate Professor, School of Medicine, Indiana University, Krannert Institute of Cardiology, and Director, Indiana University Health Advanced Heart Care Program, Indianapolis.Tamilyn Bakas, PhD, RN Professor and Chair, School of Nursing, Department of Science of Nursing Care, Indiana University, Indianapolis.Miyeon Jung, PhD(c), MSN, RN School of Nursing, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.Susan J. Pressler, PhD, RN, FAHA, FAAN Professor, Department of Health Behavior and Biological Sciences, School of Nursing, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
Background:
Family caregivers are essential to the well-being of patients with chronic heart failure (HF) because they provide care in managing complex medication regimens, dietary sodium restrictions, and symptoms.
Objective:
The purpose of this qualitative study was to gain a deeper understanding of the HF caregiving experience and describe the needs and concerns expressed by caregivers.
Methods:
Qualitative descriptive methodology was conducted using data from responses to open-ended questions asked as part of a larger longitudinal study. The sample was 63 patients with HF and 63 family caregivers.
Results:
Using basic content analysis, the 3 main themes of needs and concerns that emerged were competence concerns, compassion maintenance, and care of the self. Subthemes of competence concerns were doing things right, making a serious mistake, and uncertainty.
Conclusions:
Family caregivers of patients with HF had many needs and concerns about their competence in performing tasks, their compassion, and caring for themselves. Data can be used to design testable interventions to improve the HF caregiving experience for patients and caregivers.
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