The HELP intervention for carers of patients with heart failure
Research type
Research Study
Full title
HEart faiLure carer support Programme: A feasibility study of the HELP intervention for carers
IRAS ID
246748
Contact name
Donna Fitzsimons
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Queen's University
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Heart failure is becoming more common due to people living longer and improved treatments and survival from coronary heart disease. Many patients are often cared for at home by their carers, who play an invaluable role in supporting the patient & contribute greatly towards their self-care. They are often responsible for tasks such as organizing hospital appointments & managing medication regimens, while juggling their own personal & social lives, while often experiencing health problems of their own. There is growing evidence that carers often experience a number of unmet needs including that of improved communication & information (Doherty et al., 2015). There is also evidence that carers can experience depression & anxiety that can be related to their care-giving role. Therefore, this mixed methods study aims to provide carers with support & information tailored towards meeting these needs, through a novel intervention consisting of support group sessions & an information booklet.
Carers (n=60) will be recruited through HF teams in the Belfast, South Eastern & Southern Health and Social Care Trust's & allocated to one of 3 groups:
1. Intervention group 1: Carers will receive an information booklet and attend four support group sessions
2. Intervention group 2: Carers will receive an information booklet and attend four support group sessions with the option of patient presence
3. Standard care
All participants will be asked to complete 6 questionnaires that will measure caregiver burden, caregiver preparedness, Quality of Life, depression & anxiety, stress and social support. These will be completed pre & post intervention, & 3 months post-intervention. This information will explore appropriate outcome measures in order to inform a future larger RCT.Participants will also be asked to take part in a focus group session, that will allow participants to share their feedback on the programme and share any strengths or weaknesses. These sessions will be audio-recorded and data will be pseudonymised.
REC name
HSC REC B
REC reference
19/NI/0176
Date of REC Opinion
21 Nov 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion