Psychosocial factors and their association with clinical outcomes in patients with heart failure: Why clinicians do not seem to care

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47 Scopus citations

Abstract

Poor quality of life, social isolation, depression and anxiety all have been linked to increased risk of rehospitalization and mortality in patients with heart failure. Yet, despite evidence of their importance to outcomes in heart failure patients, psychosocial factors are assessed and treated infrequently in clinical practice. Potential reasons for this include: (1) inadequate dissemination of research about the link between psychosocial factors and outcomes; (2) insufficient training in heart-mind interactions that precludes clinicians from taking advantage of what is known; (3) perceived problems with interventions or with the science of heart-mind interactions that interfere with acceptance of what is known; (4) concerns about how to measure psychosocial factors in clinical practice; and (5) lack of curiosity from clinicians about the role of psychosocial factors in their patients. In this article, each of these possible explanations is explored and recommendations suggested.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)183-188
Number of pages6
JournalEuropean Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing
Volume1
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2002

Keywords

  • Depression
  • Heart failure
  • Psychological
  • Quality of life
  • Social support

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Medical–Surgical
  • Advanced and Specialized Nursing

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