Perception of therapeutic patient education in heart failure by healthcare providers

International audience; BACKGROUND:Care provider support for therapeutic patient education (TPE), its results and relationships with patients are factors in the setting up and sustainability of this practice.AIM:With a view to understanding the factors determining TPE care provider participation and favouring its development, the aim of this study was to describe the perception healthcare providers have of TPE in heart failure.METHODS:A national survey by self-administered questionnaire was performed in 2013 in 61 Observatoire de l'INsuffisance cardiaque (ODIN; Heart Failure Observatory) centres participating in the I-CARE programme. The cardiologist in charge of each centre received five questionnaires: one for him/herself and four for other healthcare providers working with him/her.RESULTS:We received 116 responses out of the 305 questionnaires sent (38.0%). Almost all of the responders stated that the patients were more observant after TPE sessions (91.4%). According to the responders, patients were better informed thanks to TPE (53.9%); they stated that TPE had changed their relationships with patients (81.9%); they also felt that they were educating the patient's close family/friends at the same time as the patients (86.2%).CONCLUSION:The survey showed that TPE improves care relationships. Healthcare providers recognize that they have been working differently since the programme was set up, and want the patient's close family/friends to be involved in treatment.