Key result
Immigrant patients with heart failure had significantly fewer clinical measurements and follow-up visits documented compared to matched Swedish patients.
Why the study?
Are there differences in documented care between immigrant and matched Swedish patients at a heart failure clinic?
Observational (n=50)
No
Are there differences in documented care between immigrant and matched Swedish patients at a heart failure clinic?
This study highlights disparities in heart failure care, showing that immigrant patients receive less comprehensive clinical assessment and follow-up planning than native Swedish patients.
Observed disparities in documented HF care for immigrants are hypothesis-generating; prospective studies needed before informing practice.
UNLABELLED: Today, nearly 20% of the Swedish population originates from multiethnic backgrounds. Patients' symptom expressions, adherence to health regimens, and communication with health-care professionals have been shown to be related to their ethnic and cultural backgrounds. PURPOSE: To describe documented care of immigrant patients and matched Swedish patients at a heart failure clinic. METHOD: Journal audit of records of 25 immigrant and 25 matched Swedish patients with HF included from the patient registration database at the hospital where they were cared for. RESULTS: In the immigrant group, significantly fewer clinical parameters were assessed during their visits and fewer patients were scheduled for follow-up visits. Analyses revealed that some of the items recommended in the European Society of Cardiology guidelines for non-pharmacological HF care were overlooked for both of the groups. CONCLUSIONS: We found that medication adjustments and information about the condition and treatment were fairly similarly documented between Swedish and immigrant patients while significantly fewer clinical measurements and follow-up visits were documented for the immigrant group.
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Hedemalm et al. (2006) conducted an observational in Heart failure (n=50). Immigrant background vs. Matched Swedish background was evaluated on Documented care including clinical parameters assessed and follow-up visits scheduled. Immigrant patients with heart failure had significantly fewer clinical measurements and follow-up visits documented compared to matched Swedish patients.
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