Fatigue in patients with chronic heart failure
Fatigue is a persistent, highly distressing exhaustion that many patients suffer from. We investigate fatigue in the context of chronic heart failure.
Factsheet
- Schools involved School of Health Professions
- Institute(s) Academic-Practice-Partnership Insel Gruppe/ BFH
- Strategic thematic field Thematic field "Caring Society"
- Funding organisation BFH
- Duration (planned) 01.09.2023 - 31.07.2024
- Head of project Prof. Dr. Kai-Uwe Schmitt
- Project staff Gesche Sabrina Gleichner
- Partner Inselspital, Universitätsspital Bern
- Keywords fatigue, heart failure, mixed methods
Situation
In Switzerland, around 200,000 people are affected by heart failure and up to 20,000 new cases are added each year. Heart failure often leads to an impairment of the health-related quality of life of those affected, as the associated symptoms can impair the ability to carry out everyday activities. Fatigue in particular has a negative impact on the quality of life of those affected. Fatigue describes a lack of energy and strength that is not alleviated by conventional recovery methods. It represents an overwhelming feeling of exhaustion that leads to a considerable impairment of everyday and professional activities. The corresponding symptoms are also often the main reason for people to seek medical assistance.
Course of action
The present research project is carrying out a comprehensive analysis of the current situation in the cardiovascular department of University Hospital Bern with regard to fatigue in chronic heart failure. It is analysed how fatigue is recorded, how patients experience fatigue and which approaches are or could be used for interventions to reduce fatigue. Qualitative and quantitative data will be used in a combined analysis.
