An Update on the Self-care of Heart Failure Index

Abstract

Background-The Self-Care of Heart Failure Index (SCHFI) is a measure of self-care defined as a naturalistic decision making process involving the choice of behaviors that maintain physiologic stability (maintenance) and the response to symptoms when they occur (management). In the 5 years since the SCHFI was published, we have added items, refined the response format of the maintenance scale and the SCHFI scoring procedure, and modified our advice about how to use the scores.

The European Heart Failure Self-care Behaviour Scale: New insights into factorial structure, reliability, precision and scoring procedure

“…CFA was initially used to test the one-factor model of the EHFScBS-9, but because this analysis resulted in an inadequate fit [Chi square (27, 1192) = 551.17; p < 0.000; CFI = 0.86; NNFI = 0.81; RMSEA = 0.13 (90% CI 0.12 -0.14); and SRMR = 0.08)], CFA was performed taking into consideration the factorial structure of the SCHFI v.6.2 that showed recently excellent fit indices [12]. As described above, the SCHFI v.6.2 [5] is a 22-item instrument that measures self-care of HF with three scales: self-care maintenance, self-care management, and self-care confidence. The first two of these scales are very similar in their content to the EHFScBS-9, and within each, a recent study [12] identified factors pertaining to "autonomous" self-care maintenance and management and factors pertaining to "provider-directed" self-care maintenance and management.…”

“…To date, only two tools are available in the literature: the European Heart Failure Self-care Behaviour Scale (EHFScBS) [4] and the Self-Care of Heart Failure Index v.6.2 (SCHFI v.6.2) [5,6] which has also a caregiver version [7]. The EHFScBS was developed in 2003 [4] and was reduced to a 9-item scale (EHFScBS-9) in 2009.…”

Comparison of self-care behaviors of heart failure patients in 15 countries worldwide

“…The SCHFI has been translated into numerous languages and is used worldwide to study the self-care of HF patients. The SCHFI was updated in 2009 with the addition of 7 items, including questions about medication adherence [15,16].…”

Factors influencing self-care behaviors of African Americans with heart failure: A photovoice project

“…Heart failure self-care includes management of multiple medications, dietary and fluid restrictions, daily weight monitoring, symptom recognition and management, and a unique balance of rest and exercise. 18 Heart failure self-care is defined as a naturalistic decision-making process that involves the choice of behaviors that maintain physiological stability (self-care maintenance), the response to HF symptoms as they occur (self-care management), and the confidence (self-care confidence) to engage in each phase of self-care. 18 Many persons with HF find it challenging to learn and incorporate the necessary self-care behaviors into their daily lives.…”

“…18 Heart failure self-care is defined as a naturalistic decision-making process that involves the choice of behaviors that maintain physiological stability (self-care maintenance), the response to HF symptoms as they occur (self-care management), and the confidence (self-care confidence) to engage in each phase of self-care. 18 Many persons with HF find it challenging to learn and incorporate the necessary self-care behaviors into their daily lives. 19 For example, previous studies have identified that African Americans have difficulty adhering to the HF diet 20, 21 and 22 and taking their medications as prescribed.…”