Symptom recognition and response of elderly heart failure patients

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Authors
Renner, LuAnn M.
Advisor
Ryan, Marilyn E.
Issue Date
2012-07-21
Keyword
Degree
Thesis (M.S.)
Department
School of Nursing
Other Identifiers
Abstract

Recognition of early symptoms of heart failure (HF) can go unnoticed by patients due to the subtlety of symptoms and lack of knowledge. The purpose of this study is to examine contextual factors that may influence symptom recognition and response in HF patients. This is a replication of Jurgens, Hoke, Byrnes, and Riegle’s (2009) study. The conceptual framework is the Self-Regulation Model of Illness (Cameron, Leventhal, & Leventhal, 1993). Patients with decompensated HF (n=100) will be invited to participate. Patients will be recruited from a large hospital in Indianapolis over a 2 month period. Perceived symptom distress will be assessed with the Heart Failure Somatic Perception Scale. The Response to Symptoms Questionnaire will be used to assess contextual factors in the emotional, cognitive, and social environment that might have an influence with symptom response. Findings may provide information about areas of needed improvement in education and care coordination management to improve self-care decisions in elderly HF patients.

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