Analysis of action planning, achievement and life purpose statements in an intervention to support caregivers of persons with heart failure.
Martha Abshire Saylor, Catherine A Clair, Samantha Curriero and 6 others
PMID 37059045WHAT IT FOUND
Caregivers of heart failure patients achieved 66.7% of self-care action plans.
Social support and preventive health goals were easiest to reach, while physical activity plans were hardest. Most life purpose statements centered on faith and family rather than caregiving tasks.
Key findings
01Caregivers achieved 66.7% of their assessed action plans, with social support goals having the highest achievement rate (81.8%) and physical activity goals the lowest (50%).
02The majority of action plans focused on personal health and well-being, specifically self-care, physical activity, and recreational activities.
03Life purpose statements were predominantly future-oriented and centered on faith or spirituality (n=17) and self-care or actualization (n=11), distinct from the practical focus of action plans.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
Read the rest of this summary
You get three full summaries a month, free, and we do not ask for a card. Search, the TL;DRs and your library stay unlimited either way.
What it does not show
The sample was small (n=22) and predominantly female and White, limiting generalizability. Action plan achievement was based on self-report and nurse documentation without a standardized tool, introducing potential social desirability bias. The study took place during the COVID-19 pandemic, which likely influenced caregivers' ability to pursue social and physical activity goals. Only two male caregivers participated, so gender differences in goal setting were not adequately explored.
Declared interests
The authors have no financial or personal conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret the high achievement rates as evidence that this intervention improves patient or caregiver health outcomes. This was a feasibility pilot measuring whether goals were met, not whether the intervention reduced burden or improved quality of life.