Evidence map›Paper›PMID 31014239›Full record

ArticleBMC cardiovascular disorders2019

The role of informal carers in the diagnostic process of heart failure: a secondary qualitative analysis.

Frances Bell-Davies, Clare Goyder, Nicola Gale, F D Richard Hobbs, Clare J Taylor

Open access · goldAbstract read
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in BMC cardiovascular disorders, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
5citing papers in PubMed
1.1field-weighted citation impact, top 20% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

5 citing papers in PubMed, 9 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Conceptualising diagnostic liminality: a qualitative exploration of the journey to heart failure diagnosis.The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners · 2026
    Article
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. Article
  5. 'The Future is Probably Now': Understanding of illness, uncertainty and end-of-life discussions in older adults with heart failure and family caregivers.Health expectations : an international journal of public participation in health care and health policy · 2019
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.

Frances Bell-DaviesNuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Radcliffe Primary Care building, Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, Woodstock Road, Oxford, OX2 6GG, UK.
Clare GoyderNuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Radcliffe Primary Care building, Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, Woodstock Road, Oxford, OX2 6GG, UK.
Nicola GaleHealth Services Management Centre, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
F D Richard HobbsNuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Radcliffe Primary Care building, Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, Woodstock Road, Oxford, OX2 6GG, UK.
Clare J TaylorNuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Radcliffe Primary Care building, Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, Woodstock Road, Oxford, OX2 6GG, UK. clare.taylor@phc.ox.ac.uk.ORCID 0000-0001-8926-2581
University of Oxford · GBUniversity of Birmingham · GB

Funding

Department of Health DRF-2012-05-407Department of Health IS-SPC-0514-10043Medical Research Council MC_PC_11004Wellcome Trust
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundHeart failure (HF) is a common clinical syndrome, particularly in older people, and symptoms can develop gradually. The aim of this study was to explore the role of informal carers in the HF diagnostic process.

methodsSecondary analysis of qualitative interviews with 16 participants with a new diagnosis of HF. Original interviews were conducted in the participant's home, with carers present in some cases. Interview transcripts were re-analysed using the Framework Method for themes pertaining to informal carers and how they were involved in the diagnostic process.

resultsInformal carers often noticed symptoms, such as breathlessness, before participants. In some cases, carers colluded with participants in normalising symptoms but over time, when symptoms failed to resolve or got worse, they encouraged participants to seek medical help. Adult children of participants commonly initiated help-seeking behaviour. During the diagnostic process, carers coordinated participants' healthcare through advocacy and organisation. Carers were keen to be informed about the diagnosis, but both participants and carers struggled to understand some aspects of the term 'heart failure'.

conclusionsCarers play a crucial role in HF diagnosis, particularly in initiating contact with healthcare services, and should be empowered to encourage people with HF symptoms to seek medical help. Improving public awareness of HF could mean informal carers are more likely to notice symptoms. The important role of carers in supporting the patient's route to diagnosis should be incorporated into future care pathways and explored in further research.

Indexed as

Health Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticePatient Acceptance of Health CareAgedAwarenessCaregiversComprehensionCost of IllnessFemaleHealth StatusHeart FailureHumansInterviews as TopicMaleMiddle AgedPatient AdvocacyQualitative ResearchAwarenessCarerDiagnosisHeart failureSymptoms

Identifiers

PMID31014239
PMCPMC6480764
OpenAlexW2938773898

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.