Objectives: To describe LVAD patients' and surrogates' experiences with, and perspectives on SPIRIT-HF, an advance care planning (ACP) intervention.
Background: ACP is important for patients with LVAD, yet little is known about their experiences or those of their surrogates who have participated in ACP discussions.
Methods: We used qualitative content analysis techniques to conduct a secondary analysis of 28 interviews with patients with LVAD (n = 14) and their surrogates (n = 14) who had participated in an RCT pilot study of SPIRIT-HF.
Results: Main themes from the data include: 1) sharing their HF stories was very beneficial; 2) participating in SPIRIT-HF led to greater peace of mind for patients and surrogates; 3) "one size does not fit all" when it comes to timing of ACP discussions.
Conclusions: An understanding patient and surrogate perspectives may inform clinicians' approach to ACP discussions.
Keywords: Advance care planning intervention; End-of-life; Family members; LVADs; Perspectives; Surrogates.
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