STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE SELF-MANAGEMENT IN HEART FAILURE PATIENTS

Abstract

BackgroundHeart failure is one of the most common causes of hospitalization, hospital readmission and death. Approximately half of heart failure patients are rehospitalized within 6 months of discharge, and almost two thirds of these patients are readmitted because of a deterioration of a previously diagnosed heart condition. Patients with heart failure are also associated with a complex network of health care providers, for example, multiple coexisting diagnoses which cause polypharmacy, require care from many specialist clinicians’, adjust medications and behavior according to changes in their symptoms, and also maintain a restricted diet and exercise regime. Therefore, the patient plays a crucial role in the management of heart failure disease; however, self-care is a challenge for most heart failure patients without robust and supportive strategies.AimTo review the available studies on heart failure self-management. Increasing evidence suggests self-management is an important role of educational, behavioral and psychosocial strategies to improve patient outcomes. The results of this study can be used to design the national standards for heart failure self-management education.MethodsA literature review in PubMed was performed, in the search of the available studies for the period 1999 to 2014. The European Journal of Heart Failure and the up-to-date website were included.ConclusionImproved self-management results in increased compliance, promotes quality of life, improves clinical outcomes, and reduces hospital readmissions thereby decreasing hospitalization costs. BackgroundHeart failure is one of the most common causes of hospitalization, hospital readmission and death. Approximately half of heart failure patients are rehospitalized within 6 months of discharge, and almost two thirds of these patients are readmitted because of a deterioration of a previously diagnosed heart condition. Patients with heart failure are also associated with a complex network of health care providers, for example, multiple coexisting diagnoses which cause polypharmacy, require care from many specialist clinicians’, adjust medications and behavior according to changes in their symptoms, and also maintain a restricted diet and exercise regime. Therefore, the patient plays a crucial role in the management of heart failure disease; however, self-care is a challenge for most heart failure patients without robust and supportive strategies. Heart failure is one of the most common causes of hospitalization, hospital readmission and death. Approximately half of heart failure patients are rehospitalized within 6 months of discharge, and almost two thirds of these patients are readmitted because of a deterioration of a previously diagnosed heart condition. Patients with heart failure are also associated with a complex network of health care providers, for example, multiple coexisting diagnoses which cause polypharmacy, require care from many specialist clinicians’, adjust medications and behavior according to changes in their symptoms, and also maintain a restricted diet and exercise regime. Therefore, the patient plays a crucial role in the management of heart failure disease; however, self-care is a challenge for most heart failure patients without robust and supportive strategies. AimTo review the available studies on heart failure self-management. Increasing evidence suggests self-management is an important role of educational, behavioral and psychosocial strategies to improve patient outcomes. The results of this study can be used to design the national standards for heart failure self-management education. To review the available studies on heart failure self-management. Increasing evidence suggests self-management is an important role of educational, behavioral and psychosocial strategies to improve patient outcomes. The results of this study can be used to design the national standards for heart failure self-management education. MethodsA literature review in PubMed was performed, in the search of the available studies for the period 1999 to 2014. The European Journal of Heart Failure and the up-to-date website were included. A literature review in PubMed was performed, in the search of the available studies for the period 1999 to 2014. The European Journal of Heart Failure and the up-to-date website were included. ConclusionImproved self-management results in increased compliance, promotes quality of life, improves clinical outcomes, and reduces hospital readmissions thereby decreasing hospitalization costs. Improved self-management results in increased compliance, promotes quality of life, improves clinical outcomes, and reduces hospital readmissions thereby decreasing hospitalization costs.