A Qualitative Meta-Analysis of Heart Failure Self-Care Practices Among Individuals With Multiple Comorbid Conditions
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
5-2011
Keywords
self-care, heart failure, comorbidity
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cardfail.2010.11.011
Abstract
Background: Most heart failure (HF) patients have other comorbid conditions. HF self-care requires medication and diet adherence, daily weight monitoring, and a thoughtful response to symptoms when they occur. Self-care is complicated when other chronic conditions have additional self-care requirements. The purpose of this study is to explore how comorbidity influences HF self-care.
Methods:Using qualitative descriptive meta-analysis techniques, transcripts from 3 mixed methods studies (n = 99) were reexamined to yield themes about perceptions about HF and self-care and to explore the influence on HF self-care. The Charlson Comorbidity Index identified comorbid conditions.
Results: The sample was 74% Caucasian, 66% male (mean age of 59.6 years ± 15 years). Fifty-three percent of the sample was New York Heart Association Class III. All had at least 1 other chronic condition. Narrative accounts revealed that adherence to diet, symptom monitoring, and differentiating symptoms from multiple conditions were the most challenging self-care skills. Emerging themes included 1) attitudes drive self-care prioritization and 2) fragmented self-care instruction leads to poor self-care integration and self-care skill deficits.
Conclusions: Individuals with multiple chronic conditions are vulnerable to poor self-care. Research testing coaching interventions that integrate self-care requirements and focus on developing skill in self-care across multiple chronic conditions is needed.
Was this content written or created while at USF?
No
Citation / Publisher Attribution
Journal of Cardiac Failure, v. 17, issue 5, p. 413-419
Scholar Commons Citation
Dickson, Victoria Vaughan; Buck, Harleah G.; and Riegel, Barbara, "A Qualitative Meta-Analysis of Heart Failure Self-Care Practices Among Individuals With Multiple Comorbid Conditions" (2011). Nursing Faculty Publications. 145.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/nur_facpub/145
