Talk to the Veterans Crisis Line now
U.S. flag
An official website of the United States government

VA Health Systems Research

Go to the VA ORD website
Go to the QUERI website

HSR&D Citation Abstract

Search | Search by Center | Search by Source | Keywords in Title

Can we engage caregiver spouses of patients with heart failure with a low-intensity, symptom-guided intervention?

Burke RE, Johnson-Koenke R, Nowels C, Silveira MJ, Jones J, Bekelman DB. Can we engage caregiver spouses of patients with heart failure with a low-intensity, symptom-guided intervention? Heart & lung : the journal of critical care. 2016 Mar 1; 45(2):114-20.

Dimensions for VA is a web-based tool available to VA staff that enables detailed searches of published research and research projects.

If you have VA-Intranet access, click here for more information vaww.hsrd.research.va.gov/dimensions/

VA staff not currently on the VA network can access Dimensions by registering for an account using their VA email address.
   Search Dimensions for VA for this citation
* Don't have VA-internal network access or a VA email address? Try searching the free-to-the-public version of Dimensions



Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate a pilot intervention to engage caregivers in management of heart failure (HF) patient symptoms. BACKGROUND: HF impairs quality of life; caregivers provide an important role in HF management. METHODS: We developed modules to help patients report and caregivers alleviate symptoms of depression, pain, dyspnea, and fatigue. Semi-structured interviews followed by a mixed inductive and deductive, team-based analysis were used to evaluate acceptability and feasibility in patients with HF and their caregivers. RESULTS: Participants (n  =  22) expressed significant interest but few used the modules in follow-up. We identified three barriers to acceptability and feasibility: the quality of dyadic relationship, the timing and structure of the intervention, and the patient''s perceived control over their illness. CONCLUSIONS: Future interventions should evaluate dyadic relationship dynamics, match the timing and content of the intervention to the patient population, and enroll patients with perceived control over their illness to maximize intervention acceptability and feasibility.





Questions about the HSR website? Email the Web Team

Any health information on this website is strictly for informational purposes and is not intended as medical advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat any condition.