Problems Experienced in the Second and Third Months After Discharge From a Heart Failure-Related Hospitalization

The purpose of this study was to identify high-priority problems experienced by individuals during the second and third month after discharge from an acute care facility for heart failure. This descriptive, exploratory study, an extension of a previous analysis that examined high-priority problems in the first month, comprised 19 participants who were assigned to an intervention group that received a randomized, 12-week-pilot coping partnership (COPE-HF) intervention. A trained research nurse provided the intervention, and participants used a standard list to identify high-priority heart failure-related problems. Quantitative and content data analysis was conducted. While the highest-priority problem continued to be managing their treatment regimens, the frequency of this problem lessened by week 12. Comorbidities emerged as a new problem in managing heart failure treatment and symptoms. Coping emerged as a new problem, as individuals with heart failure dealt with the impending morbidity of their diagnosis and how it would affect loved ones. Resource issues (ie, financial, social) became more prevalent for individuals with heart failure as potential and actual resources were depleted. Health providers should develop strategies to address these problems to improve outcomes in individuals with heart failure.