Factors Affecting Referral and Patient Access to Heart Function Clinics in Ontario: A Qualitative Study of Stakeholders.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Though heart failure patients benefit from multidisciplinary care in heart function clinics (HFCs), utilization is suboptimal and inequitable. This study investigated factors influencing referral and patient access to HFCs from multiple stakeholders' perspectives, namely policy-makers (PM), providers at HFCs and patients.

Methods

In this qualitative study, semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of Ontario stakeholders were conducted between February-June 2020 and July-December 2022 (paused due to pandemic) via Teams. Interview transcripts were concurrently analyzed using systematic text condensation with Nvivo. Two authors coded individually, with disagreements discussed with senior author.

Results

Interviews with 7 HFCs (6 physicians, 1 nurse),

SUBMITTER: Mamataz T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10314100 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature