Living with heart failure: Perspectives of patients from Singapore:

摘要

Introduction:Heart failure is a progressive and often incurable condition associated with a poor quality of life. The aim of this study was to understand the experiences and preferences regarding care, communication and decision-making among patients living with heart failure in Singapore.Methods:Five focus groups were conducted with 27 patients that had heart failure. The focus groups were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was used for analyzing transcripts.Results:Six themes representing the experiences of patients with heart failure were identified. These were: 1) physical and psychological symptoms; 2) financial concerns; 3) uncertainty and lack of knowledge about disease; 4) difficulties in navigating the healthcare system; 5) end-of-life care concerns; and 6) fear of burdening family.Conclusion:The study highlights that health care services for patients with heart failure need to address the multifaceted impacts of the disease on patient’s lives. A focus on the provision of ...