Family members' experience of a group-based multi-professional educational programme about chronic heart failure

Objective: The aim was to evaluate how family members of persons with chronic heart failure (CHF) experienced a group-based multi-professional educational programme.Methods: Family members who participated in an educational programme filled in an evaluation form directly after completing the programme (n = 53). One year after the completed programme family members (n = 11) who participated in 5-6 of six sessions were interviewed about their experience. The interviews were analysed by qualitative content analysis. Results: The evaluation form showed that most family members reported satisfaction with session structure and content, but a majority would have preferred to share the education together with the ill person. Interview findings are presented in three categories and eight subcategories identified through the analysis. Results showed that family members’ increased knowledge about heart failure and thereby attained a greater understanding of the ill person’s situation with an increased tolerance. Furthermore the family members acquired a better self-confidence and became a resource for the ill person and they described that they were more actively involved in the ill person’s self-care. Family members experienced it positive to meet others in the same situation. They also gained an insight into the importance of taking care of their own health. Conclusions: The educational programme produced valuable knowledge and understanding about heart failure among family members. With this newly acquired knowledge, family members had the possibility of working out appropriate support for the ill person. Being part of a group with others in the same situation was a positive experience