Background To date, contemporary heart failure care remains patient-focused, but awareness of the partners and families situation is increasing. Randomized studies have mainly evaluated the short-term effects of dyadic interventions. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the 24-month effects of an intervention with psych-educational support in dyads of heart failure patients and their partners. Methods This study used a randomized study design and 155 patient-partner dyads were enrolled. The intervention included a nurse-led program of three sessions addressing psychoeducational support. Results The intervention did not have any effect on health, depressive symptoms or perceived control among the patient-partner dyads after 24 months. Furthermore, time to first event did not differ significantly between the intervention group and the control patients. Conclusion This study may be regarded as a first step in trying to understand dyads need for supportive care. Individualized and more targeted interventions seem necessary to achieve a higher impact on dyad outcomes.

Background

Partners of patients with heart failure provide both practical and emotional support. Many partners assume caregiving responsibilities without being aware of the burden related with this role.

Objective

Our work has established that a psycho-educational intervention has benefits at 3, but not at 12 months for patients with heart failure. Further we had not described the long-term effects in caregivers. This study aimed to determine the 24-months effects of a dyadic psycho-educational intervention on caregiver burden and morbidity in partners of patients with heart failure and study factors associated with a change in caregiver burden.

Design

A randomized controlled study design, with a follow-up assessment after 24 months.

Setting and participants

Partners to patients with heart failure were recruited from two hospitals in the southeast of Sweden.

Intervention

A three session nurse-led psycho-educational program was tested and included psychosocial support to maintain the partners’ physical and mental functions, and perceived control. Several instrument were used to measure caregiver burden, perceived control, physical and mental health, depression and morbidity.

Results

One hundred fifty-five partners were included. There were no significant differences in any index of caregiver burden or morbidity among the partners in the intervention and control groups after 24 months. Overall, the mean total caregiver burden was found to be significantly increased compared to baseline (36 ± 12 vs 38 ± 14, p < 0.05). A younger partner, less comorbidity, higher levels of perceived control, better physical health and less symptoms of depression in patients, and better mental health in the partners were factors associated with absence of increased caregiver burden over time.

Discussion and conclusion

Our intervention did not significantly decrease caregiver burden or morbidity. Over time, several aspects of burden increased in both groups. To improve outcomes, individualized and targeted interventions might be beneficial.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To explore the perceived caring needs in patient-partner dyads affected by heart failure to develop an understanding of potential areas of support.

BACKGROUND: Being affected by heart failure has a great impact on both the patient and the partner but until now contemporary care has remained patient focused.

DESIGN: A qualitative study design was used.

METHODS: Eight focus group interviews were performed, which included nineteen patients diagnosed with heart failure and their cohabiting partner. Patients were aged between 55-89 years and partners' ages ranged from 48-87 years. Data were analysed using qualitative content analyses.

RESULTS: The dyads perceived that caring needs could be summarised in two themes 'Dyads perceive a need for continuous guidance through the different phases of the illness trajectory' and 'Dyads perceive a need to share burden and support with each other and others'. The dyads described a need to learn more about heart failure to be able to manage everyday life. Regular outpatient clinic visits and access to telephone support were vital, and having someone who cared about the well-being of the partners was perceived as comforting. Both the patient and the partner need to be present at the clinic visits. Receiving the same information and being able to ask questions reduce insecurity. Meeting others in the same situation and sharing the burden in group sessions were proposed as an opportunity to support each other and others.

CONCLUSIONS: There is a need to improve education and support for patient-partner dyads affected by heart failure.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The result shows the importance to provide continuous healthcare contacts throughout the illness trajectory. Furthermore, partners should be included at follow-up, and support groups should be organised so that dyads can meet and support each other.