Informal caregivers play a pivotal role in the care of people living with advanced heart failure, however, carers' needs have not been clearly identified.The aim of this study is to explore the evidence on palliative care needs expressed by carers of people with heart failure.Five electronic databases (CINAHL PLUS, EMBASE, Medline, PsychInfo and SCOPUS) were systematically searched and articles published January 2003-June 2014 with a qualitative methodology focusing on the palliative care needs of carers of people living with heart failure were included.Data was systematically extracted from 15 articles using an inductive methodology for the thematic analysis. Ten broad categories emerged from which three key areas of support needs were identified; psychosocial support to maintain a sense of normalcy; support with daily living; support navigating the healthcare system. The articles were predominantly published in the UK and USA with a total sample size across all articles of 270, the majority of which were older female spouses. Results included a combination of carers, patients and professionals thoughts, however data was extracted for carers only.Carer's needs initiate when the patient is diagnosed and continue throughout the disease into bereavement. These needs are continuously prioritised and reprioritised depending on the patients' medical stability. A holistic approach is needed to support these carers, incorporating heart failure and palliative care specialties. Further research is warranted to explore different methods of delivering support and information and to evaluate whether these reduce carer burden.

Leanne C Doherty

Donna Fitzsimons

Sonja J McIlfatrick

European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing

欧洲心脏病学会心血管护理和相关专业委员会 (CCNAP) 的同行评审期刊，涵盖心血管护理的广泛领域，包括慢性和急性护理、心脏康复、一级和二级预防、心力衰竭、急性冠状动脉综合征、介入心脏病学、心脏护理和血管护理。

The European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing is a peer-reviewed journal published by the European Society of Cardiology's Council on Cardiovascular Nursing and Allied Professions (CCNAP). It covers a wide range of topics in cardiovascular nursing, including chronic and acute care, cardiac rehabilitation, primary and secondary prevention, heart failure, acute coronary syndromes, interventional cardiology, cardiac care, and vascular nursing.

《European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing》是由欧洲心脏病学会心血管护理和相关专业委员会（CCNAP）出版的同行评审期刊。该期刊涵盖心血管护理的多个领域，包括慢性和急性护理、心脏康复、一级和二级预防、心力衰竭、急性冠状动脉综合征、介入心脏病学、心脏护理和血管护理。

Carers’ needs in advanced heart failure: A systematic narrative review

Carer’s needs initiate when the patient is diagnosed and continue throughout the disease into bereavement, so a holistic approach is needed to support these carers, incorporating heart failure and palliative care specialties.

Category	Quartile
医学	3
医学, 护理	2
医学, 心脏和心血管系统	3

Carers’ needs in advanced heart failure: A systematic narrative review

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