Patients' experiences of attending an adapted cardiac rehabilitation programme for heart failure in a day hospice.

BACKGROUND

Heart failure is highly prevalent with poor outcomes, yet only a small proportion of patients receive specialist palliative care services.

AIM: To explore if a programme focusing on support and symptom management of people with heart failure in a hospice environment would be acceptable and of benefit to patients.

METHODS

A pre/post intervention study design using mixed methods was used to evaluate the programme. The programme was delivered in 2-hour time slots over a period of 8 weeks. Participants completed three questionnaires pre- and post- and were interviewed within 1 week of completion. The study was conducted between June 2014 and January 2015.

FINDINGS: A response rate of 51.7% (n=15) was narrowed to a final sample size of 12 patients. The questionnaire results showed a positive impact on participants' wellbeing and views regarding the use of a hospice, but a desire for greater focus on emotional support. Four key themes emerged from inductive qualitative analysis: demystifying perceptions about hospice care; positivity about wellbeing; learning together; and consideration of end-of-life preparation.

CONCLUSION

This adapted programme provides a useful model for the increased integration of palliative care into provision for those living with advancing heart failure.