Healthcare interventions for families of older cardiovascular patients in 17 European studies were diverse but predominantly disease-centered rather than utilizing an integral family-focused approach.
A scoping review of European healthcare practices reveals that most interventions for families of older CVD patients are disease-centered rather than utilizing an integral family-focused approach.
BACKGROUND: In Europe, cardiovascular disease is one of the predominant causes of mortality and morbidity among older people over 65 years. The occurrence of cardiovascular disease can have a negative impact on the quality of life of older patients and their families and family health overall. Assuming that illness is a family affair shaped by culture and health care systems, we explored European health care practices and interventions toward families of older patients with cardiovascular disease and heart failure. AIMS: This paper aimed to determine the extent, range, and variety of practices and interventions in Europe directed to families of older patients and to identify knowledge gaps. MATERIALS health-related QoL; and perceived control in patients; and family functioning and changes in health behavior or knowledge in both, family members and patients. Most studies did not include an integral view of the family as the unit of care but rather had a disease-centered approach. DISCUSSION: This scoping review provides insight into a variety of healthcare practices towards families of older patients with cardiovascular disease in Europe. Clarifying underlying assumptions to involve families is needed. More studies with family-focused approaches as integral models could lead to practices that improve families' well-being. Exploring integral models for their acceptance in health care and family systems appears pertinent to develop European policy to support and add to family health.
Imhof et al. (Wed,) conducted a review in Cardiovascular disease and heart failure (n=17). Healthcare practices and interventions toward families was evaluated on Extent, range, and variety of practices and interventions directed to families. Healthcare interventions for families of older cardiovascular patients in 17 European studies were diverse but predominantly disease-centered rather than utilizing an integral family-focused approach.