A Description of Patient and Provider Experience and Clinical Outcomes After Heart Failure Shared Medical Appointment
Document Type
Article
Date of Original Version
12-1-2017
Abstract
Background: Shared medical appointments (SMAs) are clinical visits in which several patients meet with 1 or more providers at the same time. Objective: To describe the outcomes of an interdisciplinary SMA for veterans recently discharged for heart failure (HF). Methods: A retrospective chart review for patients’ readmission rates, survival, medication adherence, and medication-related problems. For qualitative outcomes, we performed semistructured interviews on 12 patients who had undergone HF SMAs and their respective caregivers focusing on care satisfaction, HF knowledge, disease self-care, medication reconciliation, and peer support. Results: The cohort comprised 70 patients—49% had left ventricular function 10 medications. Medication-related problems occurred in 60% of patients. Interviews revealed overall satisfaction with HF-SMA, but patients felt overwhelmed with HF instructions, perceived lack of peer support and self-efficacy, and feelings of hopelessness related to HF. Conclusion: Shared medical appointments are well-perceived. Medication problems and need for medication management are prevalent along with patient’s lack of self-efficacy in HF care. Multiple HF-SMA visits may be needed to reinforce concepts, reduce confusion, and garner peer support.
Publication Title, e.g., Journal
Journal of Patient Experience
Volume
4
Issue
4
Citation/Publisher Attribution
Cohen, Lisa, Parent, Tracey H. Taveira, Sandesh Dev, and Wen Chih Wu. "A Description of Patient and Provider Experience and Clinical Outcomes After Heart Failure Shared Medical Appointment." Journal of Patient Experience 4, 4 (2017): 169-176. doi: 10.1177/2374373517714452.