Journal
HEART & LUNG
Volume 40, Issue 3, Pages 208-216Publisher
MOSBY-ELSEVIER
DOI: 10.1016/j.hrtlng.2010.12.007
Keywords
Heart failure; Partners; Experiences; Descriptive; Caregiving
Funding
- National Institute for Nursing Research of the National Institutes of Health [5R21NR008764-02, 5T32NR007106-12]
Ask authors/readers for more resources
PURPOSE: This qualitative study sought to describe the experiences of living with severe heart failure (HF) from the perspective of the partner. METHODS: In-depth, semistructured interviews were conducted with 14 partners of individuals diagnosed with severe HF. Content analysis was performed to derive the main themes and subthemes of responses. RESULTS: Three main themes were derived from the data: (1) My Experience of HF in My Loved One, (2) Experience With Healthcare Providers, and the (3) Patient's Experience of HF as Perceived by the Partner. CONCLUSION: The severity of the patient's disease limited the partner's lifestyle, resulting in social isolation and difficulties in planning for the future for both the patient and the partner. The partners were, unprepared to manage the disease burden at home without consistent information and assistance by healthcare providers. Moreover, end-of-life planning was neither encouraged by healthcare providers nor embraced by patients or partners.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available