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Carers' needs in advanced heart failure: A systematic narrative review
Leanne C Doherty1, Donna Fitzsimons2, Sonja J McIlfatrick3
1Institute of Nursing and Health Research, Ulster University, Northern Ireland All-Ireland Institute for Hospice and Palliative Care, Our Lady's Hospice, Ireland.
European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing
|April 30, 2015
Summary
Informal caregivers for advanced heart failure patients need better identification of their needs. This study highlights crucial psychosocial, daily living, and healthcare navigation support for these vital carers.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Palliative Care
- Nursing
Background:
- Informal caregivers are essential in advanced heart failure care.
- Carers' specific needs remain largely unidentified.
- Palliative care integration is crucial for holistic patient and carer support.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore and synthesize evidence on palliative care needs of heart failure carers.
- To identify key support domains required by informal caregivers.
- To inform future interventions for carer well-being.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search of five databases (Jan 2003-June 2014).
- Inclusion of 15 qualitative studies focusing on heart failure carer palliative care needs.
- Thematic analysis of extracted data using inductive methodology.
Main Results:
- Identified three key support areas: psychosocial, daily living assistance, and healthcare system navigation.
- Carers' needs span diagnosis, illness progression, and bereavement.
- Majority of studies originated from the UK and USA, with older female spouses as primary participants.
Conclusions:
- A holistic, integrated approach combining heart failure and palliative care is necessary.
- Ongoing research is needed to evaluate support delivery methods and reduce carer burden.
- Carer support must be continuous and adaptable to changing patient medical stability.
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