Journal Article

Identification of urgent gaps in public and policymaker knowledge of heart failure: Results of a global survey

Lam, Carolyn S. P., Kanumilli, Naresh, Harding, Ed, Petrie, Mark C., Pohja-Hutchison, Paula, Yang, Jiefu, Chin, Alex, Butler, Javed, Bains, Marc

2023

Overview

Background Despite advances in the treatment of heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction, people with HF continue to have a high risk of mortality and hospitalisation. Patients also suffer from poor quality of life, with reduced societal and economic participation. The burden of HF on patients and healthcare systems is extraordinary, yet awareness remains low. This survey was conducted to identify gaps in general public and policymaker knowledge around HF. Methods A closed-question web-based survey of the general public and policymakers was conducted between February and October 2020. Study outcomes assessed the participants’ awareness and understanding of HF symptoms, risk factors and mortality, and views around hospital admissions in their country. Responses were collected using multiple-choice questions. Results The survey was completed by 26,272 general public respondents in 13 countries and 281 government and public sector policymakers in nine countries. While 99% of general public respondents had heard of HF, their understanding of the condition and its symptoms was poor, and only 6% identified that shortness of breath, fatigue, and leg swelling were the main symptoms of HF. Of policymaker respondents, 14% identified HF as the leading cause of avoidable hospitalisations, and only 4% recognised that ~ 87% of government spending on HF is related to hospitalisations. Conclusions Major gaps were identified in the understanding of HF and the burden it places on patients and their caregivers, healthcare systems and society. This study confirms an ongoing need for national policy strategies and investment to raise awareness of the importance of HF prevention, early diagnosis, and implementation of effective treatments to reduce hospitalisations and death.

• Publisher: BioMed Central,BioMed Central Ltd,Springer Nature B.V,BMC
• Subject: Biostatistics / Care and treatment / Caregivers / Congestive heart failure / Consciousness / Diagnosis / Early diagnosis / Environmental Health / Epidemiology / Evaluation / General public / Government spending / Health care / Health care industry / Health literacy / Health services / Healthcare / Heart failure / High risk / Hospitalization / Hospitals / Internet / Likert scale / Medical diagnosis / Medical prognosis / Medicine / Medicine & Public Health / Mortality / Mortality risk / Multiple choice / Patient admissions / Patients / Policy making / Polls & surveys / Population / Public Health / Public health administration / Public opinion / Public sector / Quality of life / Questions / Respondents / Risk factors / Risk perception / Surveys / Symptoms / Treatment methods / Understanding / Vaccine