Key result
Twice as many immigrant patients with heart failure (10 of 21) compared to native Swedish patients (5 of 21) were unaware of the connection between their symptoms and their heart failure condition.
Observational (n=42)
No
Absolute Event Rate: 47.6% vs 23.8%
Immigrant patients with heart failure may have more difficulty recognizing the connection between their symptoms and their condition compared to native patients, suggesting a need for tailored educational interventions.
May indicate need for culturally tailored HF education in immigrants; hypothesis-generating for outcome impact.
BACKGROUND: It is not known what patient perceptions or beliefs lead to beneficial decisions or response patterns in symptom interpretation among heart failure (HF) patients, especially immigrants. The aim of this study was to explore and compare symptom recognition and health care seeking patterns among immigrants and native Swedes with HF. METHODS: The study used a qualitative design. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 42 patients with HF, of whom 21 were consecutively selected immigrants and 21 were randomly selected Swedish patients. The interviews were analysed using content analysis. RESULTS: A majority of the immigrant patients sought health care for symptoms and signs, such as breathing difficulties, fatigue and swelling. Twice as many immigrants as Swedes were unaware of "what the illness experience entailed" and which symptoms indicated worsening of HF. CONCLUSION: The symptoms that patients sought care for, were similar among immigrants and Swedes. However, when interpreting symptoms more immigrants were unaware of the connection between the symptoms/signs and their HF condition. More tailored educational interventions might improve recognition of worsening symptoms in immigrant patients with chronic heart failure.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Hedemalm et al. (2008) conducted an observational in Heart failure (n=42). Immigrant status vs. Native Swedish patients was evaluated on Unawareness of the underlying cause of symptoms. Twice as many immigrant patients with heart failure (10 of 21) compared to native Swedish patients (5 of 21) were unaware of the connection between their symptoms and their heart failure condition.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: