Understanding palliative care needs in heart failure

There is increasing recognition that end-of-life care is often suboptimal for those with advanced non-malignant diseases. Although patients reported little understanding of palliative care, it is clear that individuals living with heart failure have a number of palliative care needs. Among these are education, communication, symptom management and psychosocial needs. In particular, this literature review found that clinicians often struggled to discuss palliation with heart failure patients owing to the unclear disease trajectory and cardiac-specific barriers to identifying palliation needs. Carers reported a need for greater social support and better guidance on best practice care. Furthermore, patients struggled to cope physically and psychologically with their reduced physical capabilities and were fearful of being a burden to their carers.