Affiliations: Institut für Psychotherapie und Medizinische
Psychologie der Universität Würzburg | Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik II,
Herz-Kreislaufzentrum der Universität Würzburg
Abstract: Objectives: Although health care for heart failure patients may be
optimized by patient education programs, little is known about the
patients?subjective educational needs. Methods: In this study, a sample of 60 patients (M=70.2 years, 72%
male) with chronic heart failure was examined regarding their interest in
education programs, specific needs and perceived barriers using a standardized
interview. Regarding empowerment and shared decision-making patients were asked
whether they preferred a paternalistic or a cooperative
physician-patient-relationship. Results: Half of the patients reported to be definitely interested
in patient education programs. The degree of their interest was negatively
correlated with patients?age. When asked an open question, 62% expressed
interest in specific educational topics. When several possible educational
topics were offered, more than half of the patients were interested in medical
issues (e.g., risk factors, function of the heart and symptoms of the disease),
whereas psychosocial issues (e.g., coping with illness and stress) were only of
relevance to one third of the patients. Patients with high psychosocial
distress reported stronger psychosocial educational needs. When asked about
their preference of either a paternalistic or a cooperative
physician-patient-relationship, only half of the patients preferred shared
decision-making and active participation in treatment. These patients tended
to be younger and showed a greater overall interest into education. Conclusion: Patients' wishes for a paternalistic
physician-patient-relationship as expressed by half of the sample need to be
taken into account. Education on psychosocial issues should be offered
preferentially to psychosocially distressed patients.
