Somatic awareness, uncertainty, and delay in care-seeking in acute heart failure

Jurgens, Corrine Y.

doi:10.1002/nur.20118

Cited by 129 publications

(149 citation statements)

References 50 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

141

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Second, lower awareness among non‐medical, non‐diagnosed individuals may lead to late presentation and treatment of HF due to a misinterpretation of the symptoms or misunderstanding of their severity. Previous studies of HF have shown that lower anxiety scores and false interpretation of early symptoms are associated with a longer duration of dyspnea and delays in seeking care 14, 15. Similarly, a large cohort study found that low health literacy, defined as the ability to ‘obtain, understand and process basic health information’ especially in printed form, was independently associated with higher all‐cause mortality in HF 16, 17.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Heart failure awareness survey in Germany: general knowledge on heart failure remains poor

et al. 2017

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

AimsPrevious studies demonstrated poor public awareness of heart failure (HF) compared with myocardial infarction and stroke. With respect to several activities to improve HF awareness in recent years, we present data on the development of HF awareness and information sources in Germany over 8 years.Methods and resultsIn 2007, 2012, and 2015, respectively, 2531, 359, and 171 respondents answered questions about causes, presentation, prognosis, and treatment of HF from a survey developed by the German Competence Network HF. Relationships between respondents' sociodemographic data and their HF knowledge were explored and changes in knowledge and use of information sources analysed. Sixty‐eight per cent of respondents knew HF as ‘weakness of the heart’. Seventy‐nine per cent knew shortness of breath, 74% reduced exercise tolerance, and 52% knew leg edema as symptoms. Only 40% knew all three symptoms. Although up to 34% of the respondents were directly or indirectly affected by HF, they demonstrated poor knowledge about severity and prognosis. Between 2007 and 2015, overall HF awareness has not changed; awareness about treatment has dropped significantly. Younger respondents used all media, especially internet, for information about health; older respondents preferred printed/verbal media and their physician.ConclusionsWe found rather insufficient public knowledge on HF etiology and symptoms but especially about management, severity, and prognosis, which is essential for good self‐care and adherence of patients. Heart failure awareness has not improved even though awareness campaigns were held over the years. It seems that especially older patients should be much more approached by their family physicians.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Heart failure awareness survey in Germany: general knowledge on heart failure remains poor

et al. 2017

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Jurgens (2006) found that 71% of the patients with acute heart failure complained of fatigue but fatigue was not the motivating force in seeking hospital care. Rather than a normal aging process, one explanation could be that even if the patients are aware of their symptoms, they delay care until the symptom interferes with their daily activities.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fatigue is a Prevalent and Severe Symptom Associated with Uncertainty and Sense of Coherence in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure

Falk

Swedberg

Gaston‐Johansson

et al. 2007

European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Although fatigue is a prevalent and distressing symptom in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF), it is an underestimated problem in the care of patients, and consequently, insuffi ciently investigated. The primary aim of this thesis was, therefore, to advance the knowledge from the patients' perspective by describing characteristics of the fatigue experience and its consequences in daily life in patients with CHF. A secondary aim was to investigate the relationships between fatigue and selected physiological and psychological factors associated with fatigue. Both quantitative and qualitative methods have been used and three samples of patients have been interviewed on different occasions. In two of the quantitative studies 93 patients, and in another study 112 patients, consecutively included, were interviewed at the hospital. Fifteen patients were included in the qualitative study. These 15 participants were enrolled when they visited an outpatient clinic and most of them were interviewed in their homes. These interviews were supplemented with the content of an Internet discussion with persons living with CHF.The results of the studies indicated that fatigue embraces the individual's body, emotions and cognitive abilities, forcing the person to physical restrictions that, in turn, perpetuate emotional discomfort. However, the physical sensation of fatigue followed by functional limitations seemed to be the most prevalent and distressing experience in patients with CHF. The patients described fatigue as lacking strength, which was associated in connection with physical efforts and lacking energy, viewed as an annoying sensation after both mental and physical strain. Another dimension of fatigue was described as being sleepy, often with a rapid and unforeseen onset. Consequences of fatigue, such as refraining from daily chores, denying oneself opportunities for rejoice and social isolation, further exaggerated the experience of fatigue. Restorative activities that engaged, absorbed or distracted the patients counteracted these negative consequences. Depressed mood was related to those fatigue dimensions that compromised functional ability and motivation to start any activities, whereas anxiety was associated with cognitive impairment. Feelings of uncertainty were related to physical tiredness, possibly infl icted by limitations in performing activities. Symptom distress that was caused by a number of reported symptoms other than fatigue had a diminutive infl uence on fatigue and separate symptoms that were associated with fatigue were, with the exception of breathlessness, not the fi rst and most pressing symptom reported by the patients. Anemic patients reported more fatigue compared with non-anemic patients and functional status, according to the New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classifi cation criteria, was associated with those fatigue dimensions that encompassed physical tiredness and reduced functioning.The fi ndings provide new insights on the characteristics of fatigue and its con...

show abstract

“…Recognition of a physical change is facilitated by somatic awareness, defined as sensitivity to physical sensations and bodily activity. 13 Recognition of an emotional change is aided by personal insight and interpersonal awareness. professional that will facilitate the provider's ability to give the best care.…”

Section: Operational Definition Of Conceptsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Middle-Range Theory of Self-Care of Chronic Illness

Riegel

Jaarsma

Strömberg

2012

Advances in Nursing Science

638

979

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Nearly 50% of adults have one or more chronic illnesses. Self-care is considered essential in the management of chronic illness, but the elements of self-care in this context have not been specified in a middle-range theory. This article describes a middle-range theory of self-care that addresses the process of maintaining health with health promoting practices within the context of the management required of a chronic illness. The key concepts include self-care maintenance, self-care monitoring, and self-care management. Assumptions and propositions of the theory are specified. Factors influencing self-care including experience, skill, motivation, culture, confidence, habits, functional and cognition and support from others, and access to care are described.

show abstract

Somatic awareness, uncertainty, and delay in care-seeking in acute heart failure

Cited by 129 publications

References 50 publications

Heart failure awareness survey in Germany: general knowledge on heart failure remains poor

Heart failure awareness survey in Germany: general knowledge on heart failure remains poor

Fatigue is a Prevalent and Severe Symptom Associated with Uncertainty and Sense of Coherence in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure

A Middle-Range Theory of Self-Care of Chronic Illness

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About