enhancing primary Care: development of a Training for primary care nurses in heart failure Education
Authors: Baldewijns K , Vandenhoudt H , Nijst P , Vercammen J , Van Laethem M , Haumont L , Vandepoel I , Moldenaers I , Brunner La-Rocca H P , Smeets M 
Published: July 2022

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): King Baudouin Foundation Belgium

Background, Self-care in Heart Failure (HF) is important to prevent rehospitalisation and to improve Quality of Life (QoL).1, 2 Therefore, it is necessary that HF-patients receive continuous education and self-care support, both in the hospital as at home.3 In Belgium, multidisciplinary (Mdisc-) HF-programmes are not yet broadly implemented, nor does a national HF-DMP exists. Specialist HF-nurses are not readily available and GPs report that they do not have time for patient education . 4,5 GPs identified trained primary care nurses (PCN) as their preferred partner to take on patient education and self-care support.5 However, currently, these nurses are not trained to take on this role.5

Purpose

To develop an evidence-based HF-educator training for primary care nurses.

Methods

The training was developed in 10 consecutive steps:

Step 1, a working group with representatives of Belgian HF-cardiologists, HF-nurses, PCN and the nursing department of a university of applied sciences was established.

Step 2, in preparation of this working group, M., a PCN and primary care HF-nurse, reviewed the curriculum of the specialist HF-nurse training to identify the (non-) relevant topics for PCN training. She presented her findings during working group 1 in which we decided to consult the primary health care professionals.

Step 3, one group interview with PCN, one interview with a GP and a diabetes educator took place. A short interview guide was developed. The main conclusions were that PCN have limited awareness for HF, it should be a short in time training, psychosocial aspects are very important, PCN should be able to detect signs and symptoms of HF, a basic module on HF must be included.

Step 4, presentation of these results to the working group.

Step 5, development of an organisational framework

Step 6, a subgroup consisting of one specialist HF-nurse, one HF-educator- and HF-nurse in primary care developed a programme based on the results of the interviews, the HFA-curriculum and the organisational framework.

Step 7, this programme was presented to and approved by the working group

Step 8, representatives of the university of applied sciences will implement the programme as part of their life-long learning programme.

Step 9 and 10: pilot and evaluation.

Results

The PCN HF-educator education will take 20h in 3 consecutive weeks. Participants will receive a theoretical introduction in HF followed by intensive practical training on patient-education, self-care and psychosocial support. In March 2022 the first pilot will take place.

Conclusions

Continuous education is important to support patients in their self-care and self-management. Therefore, it is necessary to train and support primary health care professionals in order to prepare them for this tasks. We presented a co-creative methodology to develop and implement a training for health care professionals.