Qualitative study of challenges of caring for a person with heart failure.
Lauren R Bangerter, Joan M Griffin, Shannon M Dunlay
PMID 29452768WHAT IT FOUND
Caregivers of people with heart failure described the patient's irritability, refusal of help, memory problems, and other illnesses as major challenges.
They also reported lost time, work strain, poor support, and damaged relationships.
Key findings
01Caregivers said the patient's negative mood and resistance to help were major challenges.
02Caregivers said comorbid illness and cognitive decline complicated heart failure care.
03Caregivers reported insufficient support and large losses of personal time.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
Only 16 caregivers completed the qualitative interviews, although 60 completed the survey. Participants came from one academic medical setting, and caregivers who agreed to interview may have been more engaged. The sample was mostly female, so male caregiver experiences may differ. Interviews used one question from a larger guide, so the findings reflect what caregivers said about challenge, not a full assessment of needs. Qualitative themes cannot show that any intervention improves heart failure outcomes.
Declared interests
No author conflict-of-interest statement is included in the supplied text. The article is listed as supported by NIH extramural research.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read these themes as proof that caregiver support changes heart failure outcomes. The study only asked 16 caregivers to describe challenges, so it cannot show that any intervention works.