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Challenges in heart failure care in four European countries: a comparative study.
Bianca Steiner1, Anne Neumann1, Yannick Pelz1
1German Foundation for the Chronically Ill, Berlin, Germany.
European Journal of Public Health
|May 10, 2023
Summary
Heart failure (HF) care models in Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, and the UK share common challenges like unequal access and communication gaps. Integrating HF nurses and digital solutions can improve care delivery and patient self-management.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Health Services Research
- Comparative Healthcare Systems
Background:
- Over 15 million Europeans live with heart failure (HF), creating significant societal and economic burdens.
- Various country-specific heart failure (HF) care structures have emerged in response to healthcare demands.
- This report compares HF care approaches in Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, and the UK to identify learning opportunities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an overview and comparison of heart failure (HF) care models in four European countries.
- To identify common challenges and successful strategies in HF care delivery.
- To facilitate cross-national learning for improved HF management.
Main Methods:
- A mixed-methods approach was employed.
- Included literature analysis, patient/caregiver interviews and questionnaires, and expert interviews.
- Focused on healthcare, health service research, and medical informatics representatives.
Main Results:
- HF care models align with European Society of Cardiology guidelines.
- Despite differing designs, common challenges include unequal urban/rural distribution, long waiting times, and unequal access.
- Information gaps and inadequate digitalization/financing of digital solutions were prevalent.
Conclusions:
- Reluctance to adopt novel methods hinders implementation of promising HF care approaches.
- Financial constraints and insufficient digitalization impede the adoption of new concepts.
- Integrating HF nurses and leveraging digital solutions can improve care coordination and patient self-management.
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