Factors that influence heart failure self-management of community dwelling individuals

Heart failure (HF) affects 350,000 Canadians, and is the third most common primary diagnosis for a hospitalization in Canada. People with HF experience periods of stability interspersed with exacerbations requiring hospitalization. During the fiscal year 2000-01, 85,679 patients were admitted to hospitals in Canada accruing a cost of over $1 billion per year for inpatient hospital services alone. These statistics indicate that in addition to the considerable influence on the lives of many Canadians, the burden of the problem is significant on the current and future health care system. This thesis examines factors that influence HF self-management as well as the profile characteristics of community dwelling individuals. The results of a systematic review and findings of a study that combines a mixed method approach including a quantitative secondary analysis, and a set of qualitative telephone interviews are presented. The qualitative data focuses on one factor, perception of social support, and how it relates to HF self-management. Finally, an integration of the information is presented. (Abstract shortened by UMI.