Specialized multi-disciplinary heart failure clinics in Ontario, Canada: an environmental scan.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Multi-disciplinary heart failure (HF) clinics have been shown to improve outcomes for HF patients in randomized clinical trials. However, it is unclear how widely available specialized HF clinics are in Ontario. Also, the service models of current clinics have not been described. It is therefore uncertain whether the efficacy of HF clinics in trials is generalizable to the HF clinics currently operating in the province.

Methods

As part of a comprehensive evaluation of HF clinics in Ontario, we performed an environmental scan to identify all HF clinics operating in 2010. A semi-structured interview was conducted to understand the scope of practice. The intensity and complexity of care offered were quantified through the use of a validated instrument, and clinics we

SUBMITTER: Wijeysundera HC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3506498 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature