A multidisciplinary team at UMC Utrecht is conducting research on integrating palliative care for people with chronic heart failure. They aim to incorporate palliative care earlier and more effectively into treatment by using a proactive care plan that identifies patients’ care needs at an early stage. The goal is to improve quality of life and reduce hospital admissions. The research team has received a ZonMw grant of €400,000 for this project.
Clear agreements about the wishes and expectations of heart failure patients are not always made in time. Meanwhile, the number of people with chronic heart failure is increasing rapidly due to aging and improved treatment of heart diseases. The condition is often unpredictable, with patients experiencing a variety of symptoms and frequent hospital admissions. Improved palliative care in clinical cardiology could greatly benefit these patients, but it is currently applied too infrequently and too late. The UPSTREAM-HF (Upstreaming Palliative Care for Persons with Heart Failure) study is developing, implementing, and evaluating a method to introduce palliative care earlier in the treatment of chronic heart failure.
The research team, led by Professor Tiny Jaarsma, professor in Chronic Care/ Cardiovascular Nursing Care, is studying 250 patients to develop the optimal method. Together with Everlien de Graaf from the expertise center for Palliative Care and Maaike Brons from the Cardiology Department, the team will begin the study on August 1st. Most studies focus on specialized palliative care in the final days or weeks of life. However, this new approach ensures that patients who need palliative care are identified in time, along with their preferences and the needs of their caregivers. Additionally, patient symptoms will be closely monitored. Ultimately, a proactive care plan will be developed, helping healthcare providers better address palliative care needs. As a result, heart failure patients may experience fewer symptoms and concerns. The researchers will also evaluate the effectiveness of the developed method.
A multidisciplinary team with unique expertise in cardiology and palliative care is conducting the research in collaboration with cardiology departments, palliative care consultation teams, and general practitioners at UMC Utrecht, Diakonessenhuis, and St. Antonius Hospital. Professor Tiny Jaarsma highlights the importance of collaboration: “By integrating palliative care earlier in the disease process, we can not only improve patients’ quality of life but also make care more efficient and targeted.” The study will take three years. The results will help enhance cardiology care, ultimately improving the quality of life for heart failure patients and reducing hospital admissions.
