BackgroundIt is not known what patient perceptions or beliefs lead to beneficial decisions or response patterns in symptom interpretation among heart failure (HF) patients, especially immigrants. The aim of this study was to explore and compare symptom recognition and health care seeking patterns among immigrants and native Swedes with HF.MethodsThe study used a qualitative design. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 42 patients with HF, of whom 21 were consecutively selected immigrants and 21 were randomly selected Swedish patients. The interviews were analysed using content analysis.ResultsA majority of the immigrant patients sought health care for symptoms and signs, such as breathing difficulties, fatigue and swelling. Twice as many immigrants as Swedes were unaware of "what the illness experience entailed" and which symptoms indicated worsening of HF.ConclusionThe symptoms that patients sought care for, were similar among immigrants and Swedes. However, when interpreting symptoms more immigrants were unaware of the connection between the symptoms/signs and their HF condition. More tailored educational interventions might improve recognition of worsening symptoms in immigrant patients with chronic heart failure.

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The aim of this study was to compare immigrant and Swedish patients with heart failure (HF) regarding symptoms, diagnosis, medical treatment, discharge planning, readmission and mortality. The method was descriptive and retrospective using an audit protocol to review data from 214 medical records of 107 immigrants and 107 Swedish patients hospitalised for HF or chronic heart failure during 1994-2003. Descriptive statistics and significance testing were performed. Few differences between the patient groups were observed. Significantly larger number of immigrants were referred to the nurse-led HF clinic follow-up visits (P=0.026). Significantly more immigrants had ischemic heart disease on admission (P=0.025) and were prescribed short-acting nitrates at discharge (P=0.026). More Swedes were prescribed medications for insomnia (P=0.029). More immigrants than Swedes are referred to HF clinic after discharge, suggesting that physicians rely on specialised nurses to provide follow-ups, tailored to the needs of immigrant patients. The study indicates that the Swedish health care system has achieved its aim of equality in the care and treatment of this patient group. Further studies are needed to determine if this also applies to the quality of the provided care and treatment.

Preceptors perceived that the model program helped to bridge the gap between theory and practice, improved communication and networking, and improved the quality of health care in Jordan.

We found that medication adjustments and information about the condition and treatment were fairly similarly documented between Swedish and immigrant patients while significantly fewer clinical measurements and follow-up visits were documented for the immigrant group.