A review of records from follow-up visits for immigrant and Swedish patients at a heart failure clinic

Abstract

Today, nearly 20% of the Swedish population originates from multiethnic backgrounds. Patients’ symptom expressions, adherence to health regimens, and communication with health-care professionals have been shown to be related to their ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

Purpose

To describe documented care of immigrant patients and matched Swedish patients at a heart failure clinic.

Method

Journal audit of records of 25 immigrant and 25 matched Swedish patients with HF included from the patient registration database at the hospital where they were cared for.

Results

In the immigrant group, significantly fewer clinical parameters were assessed during their visits and fewer patients were scheduled for follow-up visits. Analyses revealed that some of the items recommended in the European Society of Cardiology guidelines for non-pharmacological HF care were overlooked for both of the groups.

Conclusions

We found that medication adjustments and information about the condition and treatment were fairly similarly documented between Swedish and immigrant patients while significantly fewer clinical measurements and follow-up visits were documented for the immigrant group.