Abstract
Objectives: Although health care for heart failure patients may be optimized by patient education programs, little is known about the patients?subjective educational needs.
Methods: In this study, a sample of 60 patients (M=70.2 years, 72% male) with chronic heart failure was examined regarding their interest in education programs, specific needs and perceived barriers using a standardized interview. Regarding empowerment and shared decision-making patients were asked whether they preferred a paternalistic or a cooperative physician-patient-relationship.
Results: Half of the patients reported to be definitely interested in patient education programs. The degree of their interest was negatively correlated with patients?age. When asked an open question, 62% expressed interest in specific educational topics. When several possible educational topics were offered, more than half of the patients were interested in medical issues (e.g., risk factors, function of the heart and symptoms of the disease), whereas psychosocial issues (e.g., coping with illness and stress) were only of relevance to one third of the patients. Patients with high psychosocial distress reported stronger psychosocial educational needs. When asked about their preference of either a paternalistic or a cooperative physician-patient-relationship, only half of the patients preferred shared decision-making and active participation in treatment. These patients tended to be younger and showed a greater overall interest into education.
Conclusion: Patients’ wishes for a paternalistic physician-patient-relationship as expressed by half of the sample need to be taken into account. Education on psychosocial issues should be offered preferentially to psychosocially distressed patients.
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