Experiences of Patients with Heart Failure in Transition from Hospital to Home in China: A Qualitative Study.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the transitional care experiences of patients with heart failure (HF) in China, identifying the challenges they face and their needs during the transition from hospital to home.

METHODS

A qualitative approach was employed, recruiting 18 participants from a tertiary hospital cardiology department between June and October 2023. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Among the participants, 83% (15/18) reported feeling inadequately prepared for self-monitoring, with rural patients facing additional difficulties; 67% (12/18) relied on unverified online resources for health information, and 78% (14/18) surrendered medication management to family members. Finally, 89% (16/18) expressed a need for extended hospital guidance, with rural participants highlighting financial difficulty as a significant concern.

CONCLUSION

The study concludes that there is an urgent need for transitional care reform in China, including standardised discharge protocols, hospital-led telehealth platforms and government-subsidised rehabilitation programmes. These interventions should address urban-rural disparities and reduce caregiver dependency to improve the quality of life for patients with HF during the transition from hospital to home.