Article

Educational needs of patients with advanced heart failure and their caregivers.

Ahmanson Cardiomyopathy Clinic, University of California at Los Angeles Medical Center, Los Angeles, California 90095-1679, USA.
The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation (impact factor: 4.33). 08/2001; 20(7):766-9. pp.766-9
Source: PubMed

ABSTRACT At the time of initial transplant evaluation, we evaluated the information and counseling needs of 82 outpatients with advanced heart failure and compared them with the needs of 74 of their caregivers. Both groups answered a 23-item questionnaire, which used a 5-point Likert scale to assess needs across 6 sub-scales specific to heart failure and the process of determining transplant eligibility. The 5 most important learning needs of patients and caregivers were similar, and we found significant differences only in the groups' responses to 3 individual questions. We conclude that nurses can meet the needs of patients and their caregivers by providing honest explanations, focusing on enhanced quality of life issues, and giving information for dealing with an emergency.

0 0
 · 
0 Bookmarks
 · 
21 Views
Data provided are for informational purposes only. Although carefully collected, accuracy cannot be guaranteed. The impact factor represents a rough estimation of the journal's impact factor and does not reflect the actual current impact factor. Publisher conditions are provided by RoMEO. Differing provisions from the publisher's actual policy or licence agreement may be applicable.

Keywords

23-item questionnaire
 
3 individual questions
 
5-point Likert scale
 
caregivers
 
counseling
 
heart failure
 
honest explanations
 
initial transplant evaluation
 
life issues
 
transplant eligibility
 

J A Walden