Development of a User-Centred Chronic Care Model for Patients With Heart Failure in a Limited-Resource Setting: A...

Health service leaders in Thailand face substantial challenges in addressing the needs of a growing population of patients with moderate to severe Chronic Heart Failure (CHF) who require acute care management and ongoing supportive care in the community. The large number of CHF patients requiring readmission for high-level care places a significant burden on healthcare services.

The design thinking model proposed by the Hasso-Plattner Institute of Design at Stanford University underpinned an approach to developing a co-designed, tailored, culturally acceptable model of chronic care for people with CHF. One consumer, 16 clinicians, and two organisational leaders participated in a codesign workshop that included three activities. The purpose of each activity was to (i) define the problem, (ii) brainstorm possible solutions and (iii) develop a prototype solution. The codesign workshop was one phase of a four-phase codesign project. Data collected included physical data such as sticky notes and storyboards and audio recordings of codesign group discussions. Data were analyses using content analysis.

Nine prototype storyboards aimed at enhancing continuity of care for CHF patients emerged from the workshop activities. The proposed solutions focused on improving consumer access to evidence-based information, multidisciplinary expertise and ongoing community support. Participants discussed and evaluated the viability and feasibility of each prototype before reaching a final decision on an optimal model. The preferred model was a nurse-led case management service supported by a multidisciplinary team.

Key stakeholders identified the importance of moving from a short-term model of care to an integrated, multidisciplinary approach to providing long-term support in the community. The final agreed prototype of a CHF Nurse Case Management service supported by a multidisciplinary team with a focus on community outreach addressed the key concerns of participants and was considered a feasible approach to developing a CHF chronic care service for the community in urban Bangkok, Thailand.

The process of codesign involved the engagement and participation of individuals with CHF, clinicians and organisational leaders throughout the research process.