Abstract
BackgroundOver 6 million Americans have heart failure, and 1 in 8 deaths included heart failure as a contributing cause in 2016. Lifestyle changes and adherence to diet and exercise regimens are important in limiting disease progression. Health coaching and public commitment are two interactive communication strategies that may improve self-management of heart failure.ObjectiveThis study aimed to conduct patient focus groups to gain insight into how best to implement health coaching and public commitment strategies within the heart failure population.MethodsFocus groups were conducted in two locations. We studied 2 patients in Oakland, California, and 5 patients in Los Angeles, California. Patients were referred by local cardiologists and had to have a diagnosis of chronic heart failure. We used a semistructured interview tool to explore several patient-centered themes including medication adherence, exercise habits, dietary habits, goals, accountability, and rewards. We coded focus group data using the a priori coding criteria for these domains.ResultsMedication adherence barriers included regimen complexity, forgetfulness, and difficulty coping with side effects. Participants reported that they receive little instruction from care providers on appropriate exercise and dietary habits. They also reported personal and social obstacles to achieving these objectives. Participants were in favor of structured goal setting, use of online social networks, and financial rewards as a means of promoting health lifestyles. Peers were viewed as better motivating agents than family members.ConclusionsAn active communication framework involving dissemination of diet- and exercise-related health information, structured goal setting, peer accountability, and financial rewards appears promising in the management of heart failure.
Highlights
BackgroundCardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and a source of rapidly increasing annual health expenditures [1]
As physical activity and dietary habits are modifiable health-related behaviors that are directly associated with the risk of heart failure, the PAtient CommiTment to Health (PACT-Health) in the heart failure population study has high potential to improve health outcomes among persons with or at risk for heart failure by encouraging healthy behaviors through health coaching and public commitments
With the premise that care planning requires thoughtful identification and communication of patient goals and mechanisms to motivate adherence to goals, we study the receptivity of patients to two research areas in behavior change: health coaching and public commitments
Summary
BackgroundCardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and a source of rapidly increasing annual health expenditures [1]. As physical activity and dietary habits are modifiable health-related behaviors that are directly associated with the risk of heart failure, the PAtient CommiTment to Health (PACT-Health) in the heart failure population study has high potential to improve health outcomes among persons with or at risk for heart failure by encouraging healthy behaviors through health coaching and public commitments. Objective: This study aimed to conduct patient focus groups to gain insight into how best to implement health coaching and public commitment strategies within the heart failure population. Results: Medication adherence barriers included regimen complexity, forgetfulness, and difficulty coping with side effects Participants reported that they receive little instruction from care providers on appropriate exercise and dietary habits. Conclusions: An active communication framework involving dissemination of diet- and exercise-related health information, structured goal setting, peer accountability, and financial rewards appears promising in the management of heart failure
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