The Impact of Hospice Care on the Prognosis, Quality of Life, and Emotional Well-being of Patients With Chronic Heart Failure.

Abstract

Chronic heart failure (CHF) represents a substantial public health challenge, impacting patients' emotional well-being, quality of life, and overall prognosis. Palliative care and hospice services are increasingly recognized in managing advanced CHF, yet their evidence-based benefits remain underexplored. This study aimed to assess the influence of hospice care on CHF patient outcomes. A total of 120 inpatients with CHF were randomly assigned to receive either hospice care in addition to standard treatment (experimental group) or standard care alone (control group). Patient assessments included heart function classification, activities of daily living, Minnesota Living With Heart Failure Questionnaire, anxiety scale, and pain assessment. Results demonstrated significant improvements in cardiac function, activities of daily living, anxiety levels, pain scores, and heart failure-related quality of life in the experimental group compared with controls. Reduced anxiety, enhanced emotional well-being, and overall health status improvements were particularly notable postintervention. Hospice care was associated with enhanced functional abilities, emotional well-being, pain management, and overall quality of life for CHF patients. In conclusion, this study underscores hospice care's positive impact on prognosis, quality of life, and emotional well-being in CHF, emphasizing its potential as a critical component in comprehensive CHF management strategies.