Heart Failure Seminar: Focus on Palliative Care - OnDemand-Focus on Palliative Care

Video Transcription

Video Summary

In a recent webinar on integrating palliative care into heart failure management by the Heart Failure Society of America (HFSA), experts discussed strategies for living and dying well with heart failure. The session was led by Dr. Sarah Chusey and Dr. Haider Wari, who presented a consensus document outlining practical guidelines for clinicians to incorporate palliative care into heart failure treatment plans.<br /><br />The key objectives of the discussion included recognizing the need for palliative care among heart failure patients, integrating effective palliative strategies into comprehensive care, applying key recommendations, and promoting interdisciplinary collaboration. The consensus aimed to offer a practical guide beyond simply reviewing existing data, making it applicable across different care settings and resource levels. <br /><br />The webinar addressed defining terms within palliative care and emphasized that it should be administered alongside life-sustaining treatments. Different levels of palliative care were discussed, including primary palliative care by non-specialists like cardiologists, and specialty palliative care by trained professionals. The importance of addressing common barriers, including misconceptions about the roles and benefits of palliative care, and challenges related to the hospice model for heart failure patients were also highlighted.<br /><br />Additionally, the discussion covered the complexities of providing care for unique patient groups such as those with congenital heart disease and those on inotropic support, stressing the importance of clear communication, anticipatory guidance, and building strong partnerships with hospice care providers to enhance patient quality of life and end-of-life care. The session concluded with a Q&A to address audience concerns.

Keywords

palliative care

heart failure management

HFSA

Dr. Sarah Chusey

Dr. Haider Wari

consensus document

interdisciplinary collaboration

primary palliative care

specialty palliative care

hospice care