A snapshot of patient experience of illness control after a hospital readmission in adults with chronic heart failure

BACKGROUND: Approximately 6.5 million adults have chronic heart failure (HF), the number one cause of 30-day hospital readmission. Managing HF and its symptoms is critical for patients. Hospitalization may impact patients’ perceptions of illness control, which can affect illness management. However, how hospital readmissions are perceived as related to one’s ability to control their HF and its symptoms has not been examined. OBJECTIVE: The purpose was to explore the experiences of people with HF in managing their illness (i.e., illness control), understand their perceptions of illness control after recent hospital readmission, and clarify the concept of illness control in people with chronic HF. METHODS: A qualitative approach, applied thematic analysis was employed. Purposive sampling was used to identify participants. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in 10 participants’ homes. Ongoing, concurrent, and comparative data analysis was used with ATLASti© data management software. RESULTS: Two themes were identified, strategies to control HF and barriers to controlling HF. Strategies to control HF included four subthemes: managing dietary intake and medications; self- advocacy; monitoring symptoms; and support. Barriers to control also had four subthemes: healthcare systems issues; health care professional relationships and interactions; personal characteristics; and knowledge deficits. CONCLUSION: People use many different strategies to control HF. Control comes from both within and outside of the individual. The desire to control HF and its symptoms was evident, but implementing strategies is challenging and takes time, experience, and trial and error. Individuals did not view readmission negatively but as necessary to help them control their symptoms.