Pattern Versus Change: Community-Based Dyadic Heart Failure Self-Care

Harleah G. Buck, Judith Hupcey, Alexa Watach

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

It is imperative that dyadic heart failure (HF) self-care be carefully examined so we can develop interventions which improve patient outcomes. The purpose of this study was to qualitatively examine how patient/informal caregiver dyads mutually engage in managing the patient’s HF at home. Twenty-seven dyads were interviewed using a theoretically derived interview guide. All interviews were digitally recorded and professionally transcribed, and iterative thematic analysis was conducted. Three descriptive themes emerged—Mutual engagement in self-care involves maintaining established patterns of engagement across the life course of the relationship, changing patterns according to whether it is day-to-day care or symptom management, and mobilizing the help of a third party as consultant. These themes reveal the dyadic conundrum—whether to change or remain the same in the face of a dynamic and progressive condition like HF. The themes suggest potential targets for intervention—interventions focused on the relationship or caregiver activation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)148-161
Number of pages14
JournalClinical Nursing Research
Volume27
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 1 2018

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Nursing

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