Context matters in heart failure self-care: a qualitative systematic review

The purpose of this study was to identify the main contextual factors and processes that influence patients’ self-care of heart failure (HF). A systematic review was conducted using qualitative meta-synthesis. Ten databases were searched until March 19, 2012. Of the 1421 papers identified by the systematic search, 45 studies were included in this meta-synthesis. To be included studies had to contain a qualitative research component, data pertaining to self-care of HF from adults (18+) and be published as full papers/theses from 1995 onwards. These studies involved: 1,398 patients (mean age 65.9 years), 180 caregivers and 63 health professionals. Six main types of contextual factors were found to influence HF self-care in the studies: caregivers, social networks and social support, place, finances and financial capacity, work and occupation, and HF support groups and programs.