Skip Navigation

This Article
Right arrow Full Text Freely available
Right arrow FREE Full Text (PDF) Freely available
Right arrow E-letters: Submit a response
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when E-letters are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in ISI Web of Science
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My Personal Archive
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Search for citing articles in:
ISI Web of Science (1)
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Pearl, A.
Right arrow Articles by Doughty, R. N
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Pearl, A.
Right arrow Articles by Doughty, R. N
Social Bookmarking
Add to CiteULike   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us  
What's this?

Family Practice Vol. 20, No. 6, 642-645
© Oxford University Press 2003, all rights reserved

Article

The effect of an integrated care approach for heart failure on general practice

Ann Pearl, Susan P Wrighta, Greg D Gamblea, Stephanie Muncastera, Helen J Walsha, Norman Sharpea and Robert N Doughtya

Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care and a Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand

Correspondence to Dr A. Pearl, Division of General Practice and Primary Health Care, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand; E-mail: a.pearl{at}auckland.ac.nz

Background. Recent studies have investigated specific strategies for heart failure management. None has involved collaboration between primary and secondary care. Potential gains for patients may result from collaborative strategies.

Objective. To assess the effect of an integrated management approach for patients with heart failure on general practice.

Methods. The study design was a cluster randomized controlled trial of integrated primary/ secondary care compared with usual care for heart failure patients. The study took place at Auckland Hospital, New Zealand and involved 197 patients admitted with an episode of heart failure. Patients were randomized to management group or control group (who received ‘usual’ care). Management group patients received early clinical review, education sessions, a personal diary for medications and weight, and regular clinical follow-up alternating between GP and hospital clinic. Follow-up was for 12 months.

Results. Patients visited GPs frequently (median 14 visits, range 0–40), with no statistical difference between the two groups. Heart failure was the most common reason for consulting the GP. There was no relationship between GP consultations and patients' attendance at the study clinic, or hospital admissions. Management group GPs and patients expressed a high level of satisfaction.

Conclusion. GP consultation rates were not affected by the programme. Further research will determine if general practice based programmes result in further gains.

Keywords. Congestive heart failure, general practice, integrated care.


Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us    What's this?


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 Chronic IllnessHome page
F. Lloyd-Williams, S. Beaton, P. Goldstein, F. Mair, C. May, and S. Capewell
Patients' and nurses' views of nurse-led heart failure clinics in general practice: a qualitative study
Chronic Illness, March 1, 2005; 1(1): 39 - 47.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Disclaimer:
Please note that abstracts for content published before 1996 were created through digital scanning and may therefore not exactly replicate the text of the original print issues. All efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, but the Publisher will not be held responsible for any remaining inaccuracies. If you require any further clarification, please contact our Customer Services Department.