Heart Failure Patients’ Perceptions of Quality of Life: A Meta-Synthesis

Background: The prevalence of heart failure is increasing due to increased life expectancy and increased survival following cardiac events. Heart failure affects quality of life more than most other chronic conditions, and in many cases, maintaining quality of life is more important than increasing...

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Main Author: Wilkinson, Amy Elisabeth
Format: Dissertation (University of Nottingham only)
Language:English
Published: 2013
Online Access:https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/26875/
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author Wilkinson, Amy Elisabeth
author_facet Wilkinson, Amy Elisabeth
author_sort Wilkinson, Amy Elisabeth
building Nottingham Research Data Repository
collection Online Access
description Background: The prevalence of heart failure is increasing due to increased life expectancy and increased survival following cardiac events. Heart failure affects quality of life more than most other chronic conditions, and in many cases, maintaining quality of life is more important than increasing survival. Objectives: To date there is no literature review combining quality of life and heart failure. A meta-synthesis was conducted to gain an insight into patient perceptions of quality of life with heart failure, in order to fill this gap in research. Search strategy: Cinahl, Medline, Embase and PsychInfo were searched using key search terms identified through combining PICO and SPIDER. Reference lists of relevant articles were examined for any research papers that may have been missed, until no new articles were found. Inclusion criteria: Primary qualitative research conducted in English was included. It was imperative that participants had a diagnosis of heart failure and that the research focus was on the patients‟ perspectives. Data analysis: Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to extract and synthesise the data from the primary studies. Results: Quality of life was defined based on happiness, relationships, independence, religion and life expectancy. Heart failure had a major impact on quality of life, but coping methods were highlighted by patients. Quality of life was evaluated based on comparison to others, level of independence and longevity of life. Conclusions: Quality of life is a multidimensional, subjective term and care should be individualised and holistic to reflect this. Heart failure has a negative effect on quality of life, however, with support and guidance from health care professionals to adapt lifestyle and accept changes, a good quality of life can be maintained. This study has highlight some significant gaps in research that require further investigation.
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spelling nottingham-268752017-10-19T13:39:51Z https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/26875/ Heart Failure Patients’ Perceptions of Quality of Life: A Meta-Synthesis Wilkinson, Amy Elisabeth Background: The prevalence of heart failure is increasing due to increased life expectancy and increased survival following cardiac events. Heart failure affects quality of life more than most other chronic conditions, and in many cases, maintaining quality of life is more important than increasing survival. Objectives: To date there is no literature review combining quality of life and heart failure. A meta-synthesis was conducted to gain an insight into patient perceptions of quality of life with heart failure, in order to fill this gap in research. Search strategy: Cinahl, Medline, Embase and PsychInfo were searched using key search terms identified through combining PICO and SPIDER. Reference lists of relevant articles were examined for any research papers that may have been missed, until no new articles were found. Inclusion criteria: Primary qualitative research conducted in English was included. It was imperative that participants had a diagnosis of heart failure and that the research focus was on the patients‟ perspectives. Data analysis: Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to extract and synthesise the data from the primary studies. Results: Quality of life was defined based on happiness, relationships, independence, religion and life expectancy. Heart failure had a major impact on quality of life, but coping methods were highlighted by patients. Quality of life was evaluated based on comparison to others, level of independence and longevity of life. Conclusions: Quality of life is a multidimensional, subjective term and care should be individualised and holistic to reflect this. Heart failure has a negative effect on quality of life, however, with support and guidance from health care professionals to adapt lifestyle and accept changes, a good quality of life can be maintained. This study has highlight some significant gaps in research that require further investigation. 2013 Dissertation (University of Nottingham only) NonPeerReviewed application/pdf en https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/26875/1/dissertation_pdf.pdf Wilkinson, Amy Elisabeth (2013) Heart Failure Patients’ Perceptions of Quality of Life: A Meta-Synthesis. [Dissertation (University of Nottingham only)] (Unpublished)
spellingShingle Wilkinson, Amy Elisabeth
Heart Failure Patients’ Perceptions of Quality of Life: A Meta-Synthesis
title Heart Failure Patients’ Perceptions of Quality of Life: A Meta-Synthesis
title_full Heart Failure Patients’ Perceptions of Quality of Life: A Meta-Synthesis
title_fullStr Heart Failure Patients’ Perceptions of Quality of Life: A Meta-Synthesis
title_full_unstemmed Heart Failure Patients’ Perceptions of Quality of Life: A Meta-Synthesis
title_short Heart Failure Patients’ Perceptions of Quality of Life: A Meta-Synthesis
title_sort heart failure patients’ perceptions of quality of life: a meta-synthesis
url https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/26875/