Publications (3)0.9 Total impact
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Article: Illness perceptions of adults with congenital heart disease and their predictive value for quality of life two years later.
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ABSTRACT: Background:To improve patients' quality of life (QoL) we need to identify modifiable determinants, such as illness perceptions. Patients' illness perceptions are known to regulate emotional responses and health-behaviour. Illness perceptions comprise several components: consequences, control, coherence, changeability and emotional representations.Aims:To examine (a) the relation between patient characteristics and illness perceptions, and (b) the independent predictive value of illness perceptions for future QoL.Methods:A longitudinal study in 845 patients with congenital heart disease was conducted. Patients completed three questionnaires: the IPQ-R (illness perceptions) and two years later the SF-36 and TAAQOL-CHD (QoL). Linear regression analyses were performed relating illness perceptions to patient characteristics (sex, age, disease complexity and functional status) and QoL.Results:Patients with a complex defect or poor functional status reported poor illness perceptions. Independent of patient characteristics, poor illness perceptions (i.e. a strong belief that the illness has severe consequences; a weak belief that you have a coherent illness understanding and that the illness can be controlled by treatment; and a strong belief that the illness is changeable and causes negative emotions) were predictive of future QoL.Conclusion:Illness perceptions independently predict QoL, suggesting that QoL may be improved by altering patients' beliefs about their illness. For example, increasing patients' knowledge regarding their disease and informing them about treatment opportunities may enhance their QoL.European journal of cardiovascular nursing: journal of the Working Group on Cardiovascular Nursing of the European Society of Cardiology 03/2013; -
Article: Patients with a congenital heart defect and Type D personality feel functionally more impaired, report a poorer health status and quality of life, but use less healthcare.
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ABSTRACT: Background: Type D personality, characterized by high levels of negative affectivity and social inhibition, is related to mortality, morbidity, poor health status, quality of life (QoL) and less healthcare utilization in various cardiovascular patient groups. To date, studies in patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) are lacking. Aims: (1) To examine the prevalence of Type D personality in CHD patients; (2) to compare Type D to non-Type D patients with regard to disease severity, functional status, health status and QoL; and (3) to examine the extent to which Type D personality is independently related to healthcare utilization. Methods: A total of 1109 adult CHD patients were included in a questionnaire survey. Due to missing data, 302 patients were excluded. Results: The prevalence of Type D personality was 20.4%. Type D patients reported a poorer functional status, health status and QoL than non-Type D patients (p<0.05). Type D patients reported less healthcare use than non-Type D patients (primary and cardiac outpatient healthcare: adjusted OR=0.56, 95% CI=0.35-0.90; inpatient healthcare: adjusted OR=0.38, 95% CI=0.17-0.83). Results of a post-hoc analysis showed a high prevalence of Type D personality in patients with a poor functional status who did not consult their cardiologist. Conclusion: Type D patients report a poorer functional status, health status and QoL, but less healthcare utilization. In clinical practice, patients should be screened for Type D personality, since social inhibition may prevent them from contacting a healthcare provider in the event of symptom aggravation.European journal of cardiovascular nursing: journal of the Working Group on Cardiovascular Nursing of the European Society of Cardiology 03/2012; 11(3):349-55. -
Article: The perspective of patients with congenital heart disease: does health care meet their needs?
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ABSTRACT: A first step in the delivery of tailored care is answering the following question: does health care meet the needs of patients? Therefore patients' perspective on health care use and their needs was examined. The design used was cross-sectional questionnaire study. A total of 1109 adult congenital heart defect (CHD) patients attending one of eight Dutch hospitals were randomly selected from a national database (10% of all registered patients). Patient reported questionnaires on in- and outpatient health care use during the past year and need for additional care. A total of 66% and 40% of patients had contact with their cardiologist and general practitioner, respectively. Six to 10 percent were hospitalized, operated upon, or visited the emergency room. For the majority, the amount of contact was sufficient. Most patients indicated that the communication skills and expertise of the cardiologist and general practitioner were sufficient, and health care improvements were not necessary. Frequent health care users had a poor functional status and frequent contact with their cardiologist and general practitioner. Patients who want more contact with their cardiologist rated the communication skills of the cardiologist as insufficient. For most patients, the amount and quality of care are both sufficient. Patients who rate the communication skills of the cardiologist as insufficient have need more contact. In addition to the recommended training program as described in the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) and European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines, we recommend the incorporation of communication training. This is the first study to provide insight into health care use and needs of CHD patients in countries with a compulsory health insurance system from the patient perspective.Congenital Heart Disease 05/2011; 6(3):219-27. · 0.90 Impact Factor
