Alonso Windy, Hupcey Judith E, Kitko Lisa
Pennsylvania State University College of Nursing, 1300ASB/A110 90 Hope Drive, Hershey, PA 17033, USA.
Pennsylvania State University College of Nursing, 1300ASB/A110 90 Hope Drive, Hershey, PA 17033, USA.
Heart Lung. 2017 Jan-Feb;46(1):35-39. doi: 10.1016/j.hrtlng.2016.09.001. Epub 2016 Oct 24.
To assess perceptions of illness severity and terminality in caregivers of advanced heart failure (HF) patients and how these perceptions influence utilization of palliative care and end-of life services.
HF is a terminal disease; yet patients and caregivers do not understand the severity of HF or acknowledge disease terminality.
This study was conducted using a qualitative design with in-depth interviews and content analysis.
Most caregivers did not understand the severity of HF (68%) or disease terminality (67%). Patients were more likely to receive services when their caregivers expressed an understanding of illness severity and/or terminality.
Inclusion of caregivers in discussions of goals of care, advance care planning, and palliative care and end-of-life services with patients and providers is imperative.
评估晚期心力衰竭（HF）患者照料者对疾病严重程度和终末期的认知，以及这些认知如何影响姑息治疗和临终服务的利用情况。
心力衰竭是一种终末期疾病；然而患者及其照料者并不了解心力衰竭的严重程度，也不承认疾病的终末期。
本研究采用定性设计，进行深入访谈和内容分析。
大多数照料者不了解心力衰竭的严重程度（68%）或疾病终末期（67%）。当照料者表示了解疾病严重程度和/或终末期时，患者更有可能接受相关服务。
必须让照料者参与到与患者及医疗服务提供者关于医疗目标、预先护理计划、姑息治疗和临终服务的讨论中。
