Timely recognition of palliative care needs of patients with advanced chronic heart failure: a pilot study of a Dutch translation of the Needs Assessment Tool: Progressive Disease – Heart Failure (NAT:PD-HF)

Janssen, Daisy J.A.; Boyne, Josiane; Currow, David C.; Schols, Jos M.G.A.; Johnson, Miriam J.; La Rocca, H. P.Brunner

Abstract

© The European Society of Cardiology 2019. Background: The Needs Assessment Tool: Progressive Disease – Heart Failure (NAT:PD-HF) was developed to identify and triage palliative care needs in patients with chronic heart failure. A Dutch version is currently lacking. Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility and acceptability of a Dutch NAT:PD-HF in chronic heart failure outpatients; and to gain preliminary data regarding the effect of the NAT:PD-HF on palliative care referral, symptoms, health status, care dependency, caregiver burden and advance directives. Methods: A mixed methods study including 23 outpatients with advanced chronic heart failure and 20 family caregivers was performed. Nurses conducted patient consultations using a Dutch translation of the NAT:PD-HF and rated acceptability. Before this visit and 4 months later, symptoms, health status, performance status, care dependency, caregiver burden and recorded advance directives were assessed. A focus group with participating nurses discussed barriers and facilitators towards palliative care needs assessment. Results: Acceptability was rated as 7 (interquartile range 6–7 points) on a 10-point scale. All patients had palliative care needs. In 48% actions were taken, including two patients referred to palliative care. Symptoms, performance status, care dependency, caregiver burden and advance directives were unchanged at 4 months, while health status deteriorated in patients completing follow-up (n=17). Barriers towards palliative care needs assessment included feeling uncomfortable to initiate discussions and concerns about the ability to address palliative care needs. Conclusions: The NAT:PD-HF identified palliative care needs in all participants, and triggered action to address these in half. However, training in palliative care communication skills as well as palliative care interventions should accompany the introduction of a palliative care needs assessment tool. Netherlands National Trial Register (NTR): 5616. http://www.trialregister.nl/trialreg/admin/rctview.asp?TC=5616.

Citation

Janssen, D. J., Boyne, J., Currow, D. C., Schols, J. M., Johnson, M. J., & La Rocca, H. P. (2019). Timely recognition of palliative care needs of patients with advanced chronic heart failure: a pilot study of a Dutch translation of the Needs Assessment Tool: Progressive Disease – Heart Failure (NAT:PD-HF). European journal of cardiovascular nursing : journal of the Working Group on Cardiovascular Nursing of the European Society of Cardiology, 18(5), 375-388. https://doi.org/10.1177/1474515119831510

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 25, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Jun 1, 2019
• Publication Date: Jun 1, 2019
• Deposit Date: May 3, 2022
• Journal: European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing
• Print ISSN: 1474-5151
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 18
• Issue: 5
• Pages: 375-388
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1474515119831510
• Keywords: Palliative care; Needs; Assessment; Chronic heart failure; Caregiver; Communication
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/3571969