Do general practice patients with heart failure understand its nature and seriousness, and want improved information?

This study describes the extent to which patients with heart failure in gen eral practice understand the nature and seriousness of their condition, and want more or better information about it than they currently get. The stud y involved a random sample of 62 patients receiving care for chronic heart failure in 30 central Auckland, New Zealand, practices. The narrative texts of personal, semi-structured interviews in late 1999 were edited (explicit ly and systematically reduced and reassembled) until their interpretation w as complete. Approximately 40% of the patients interviewed appeared not to understand the nature and seriousness of their heart failure condition. Two patients had accidentally discovered the diagnosis from inappropriate sour ces. Eleven patients (18%) expressed wanting improved information about the ir condition. However, to avoid harm, we did not ask patients about wants f or information relating to the seriousness of their heart failure. Through patient education and counselling, providers could help patients to produce an advance written directive of wants for information. (C) 2001 Elsevier S cience Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.