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Welcome to the European Society of Cardiology. Our mission: to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease in Europe
 
Heart Failure Congress 2009
31 May 2009

Self-care behaviours: state of the art 

Webcasts available

Tiny Jaarsma 

Tiny Jaarsma
Topics: Heart Failure (HF)
Session number: 379
Session title: Self-care behaviours: strategies and tools
Authors: Jaarsma, Tiny (Groningen, NL)

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The involvement of patients and families in heart failure management in advocated. Self management and self care are therefore increasingly addressed. Patient education and support for patients with heart failure to improve self-care behavior is the goal of many HF management programs.  The effectiveness of these programs is often evaluated based on their effects on readmission, costs and quality of life. Since there is an increasing call for a tailored approach in heart failure management, it is important to evaluate programs on outcomes such as symptom relief and self-care behavior. In addition it is important to look for innovative approaches to improve self care, since old approaches might not fit in a changing society.

Teaching objective of the lecture:

To inform the audience on the definition of self care and self management in heart failure, to discuss the methods of measurement of self care in heart failure patients and the relationship of optimal self care and outcomes.

Take home messages:

  • Self care is an important aspect in heart failure management 
  • Reliable methods to address self care behaviors are available
  • Innovative methods to improve self-care in patients with heart failures should be pursued.


The content of this article reflects the personal opinion of the author/s and is not necessarily the official position of the European Society of Cardiology.