The effect of nurse-led group discussions by race on depressive symptoms in patients with heart failure

African Americans with heart failure (HF) have the highest rates of depression among all ethnicities in the USA.

To compare the effects by race on depressive symptoms and topics discussed in the first clinic appointment after HF hospitalization.

This study is a secondary analysis of data from a randomized clinical trial testing a patient group discussion of HF self-management with 93 Caucasians and 77 African Americans.

Reduction in depressive symptoms was significantly greater among African American patients within the intervention group (F = 3.99, p = .047) than controls. There were significant differences by race in four topics (dietitian referral, appointment date, help preparing discussion questions, and advice on worsening HF symptoms) concerning patient-physician discussions.

The intervention showed greater effect in reducing depressive symptoms among African Americans than Caucasians. Preparing patients for discussions at physician appointments on diet, depressive symptoms, and HF symptoms is recommended.