Qual-HF
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Digital tools in heart failure - patient and clinician perspectives (Qual-HF)
IRAS ID
321337
Contact name
Kyle McBeath
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Royal Brompton hospital
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 18 days
Research summary
Heart failure is a chronic health condition associated with significant symptoms, an increased need of support from the NHS, and typically is associated with a reduction in life expectancy. The covid pandemic has made it more difficult for the NHS to deliver high quality care to the one million patients living with heart failure in the UK. NHS England plans that digitalisation of services will help, increasing efficiency and improving ability of patients to self-care and manage their conditions. “Digitalisation” includes the use of digital tools for health, such as Apps and online resources. But the typical heart failure patient is in their 70s or 80s, creating a significant risk of digital exclusion. The recently completed DIGITAL-HF study provides the first data about which tools heart failure patients are using and how this correlates with digital health literacy and patient activation (the skills, knowledge and motivation to manage one's health) but does not clarify the reasons why patients access digital tools. There is also little understanding of the factors that drive clinicians to recommend digital tools.
Patients who have taken part in the DIGITAL-HF study will be eligible. Those who represent a diverse range of demographics, digital tool use, digital health literacy and activation will be approached to take part. Semi-structured interviews will take place in person or via video call depending on participant preference. A range of clinical heart failure specialists from two trusts will also be invited to take part.
We aim to recruit 20 patients to help us better understand why NHS patients with heart failure access digital tools. We aim to recruit 10 clinicians to help us better understand why NHS heart failure clinicians recommend digital tools. We will use this information to help inform local and national policy around digital support for people living with heart failure.
REC name
South West - Cornwall & Plymouth Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/SW/0001
Date of REC Opinion
19 Jan 2023
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion