There is evidence for the effectiveness and feasibility of the individual components of TIER-HF-PC, however there is a need to test how these individual components interact to allow the researchers to deliver TIER-HF-PC as a model of care in its totality. In the short term, this study will assess if TIER-HF-PC is beneficial for patients and caregivers.
21 years or older and
able to communicate in English/Chinese/Malay and
be of stage C or D heart failure, as defined by American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) classification system and
have functional limitation of New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional status of at least 2 or more and
have cognitive impairment (e.g., dementia)
have severe, untreated, active mental illness (e.g., major depressive disorder)
have ventricular assist device implant.
have non-reversible hearing or visual loss or
Parallel
TIER-HF-PC
Other interventionThe patient will be assigned to one of the three levels of care which is determined by the results given by Distress Thermometer (DT) and the Integrated Palliative Care Outcome Scale (IPOS).
Usual Care
Other interventionPatient continues on clinical care by his/her cardiologist. If the cardiologist picks up their symptoms or other concerns, he/or can be referred to a specialist palliative care physician by the cardiologist.
Patient quality of life (QOL) per the KCCQ-12 Questionnaire
The Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ-12) will be used: It is a 12-item QOL scale, composed of physical function, symptoms, QOL, social interference and summary score will be used. The KCCQ-12 has similar validity to the 23-item version and is shorter with less respondent burden. The KCCQ-12 can be self-reported by patients or read to patients over the phone by a research coordinator. The total summary score can range from 0 to 100, with higher scores representing better health status. A clinically meaningful change is defined as a change of at least 5 points on the KCCQ. The KCCQ-12 will be measured for all participants (TIER-HF-PC and usual care), and tracked every 8 weeks from baseline, till the point of patient death, or till week 48, whichever is earlier. The frequency of our proposed KCCQ tracking is referenced from trials which used KCCQ to track longitudinal changes in QOL.
Patient quality of life (QOL) per the EUROQOL EQ-5D-5L Questionnaire
The non cardiac specific health-related quality of life (EUROQOL EQ-5D-5L) questionnaire will also be used: This is a global assessment of the patient's quality-of-life in 5 dimensions: mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression, that can also be administered over the phone. The results from the 5 dimensions can be combined into a 5-digit number that describes the patient's health state utility. The EQ-5D-5L has been validated in the Singapore cardiac population.
Caregiver Quality of Life (QOL)
The Singapore Caregiver Quality of Life Scale-15 (SCQOLS-15) will be used: This is a 15-item scale with 5 domains measuring QOL of life caregivers in domains: physical well-being, mental well-being, experience and meaning, impact on daily life, and financial well-being will be used. This will be measured for all caregiver participants (TIER-HF-PC and usual care), and tracked every 8 weeks from baseline, till the point of patient death, or till week 48, whichever is earlier. A difference of between 3-5 points in QOL scores could serve as a benchmark to evaluate if the difference between intervention and usual-care group is meaningful.
Acceptability of TIER-HF-PC from patient and caregiver participants - through completion of the client satisfaction questionnaire (CSQ-4)
The client satisfaction questionnaire (CSQ-4) will be used. The total score of the CSQ per participant will be computed. Analysis will be conducted on the patient and caregiver scores separately. The percentage of participants in TIER-HF-PC who have at least a CSQ score of 12 and above will also be calculated.
Acceptability of TIER-HF-PC from patient and caregiver participants - through semi-structured interviews
Regarding the analysis of semi-structured interviews, a qualitative coding team who is experienced in qualitative analysis will be formed. Interviews will be open coded line by line. Code categories will be developed and iteratively adjusted through discussions. The code categories will be subsequently mapped back to the main domains of the RE-AIM and PRISM framework to identify key multi-level contextual factors influencing the TIER-HF-PC outcomes as well as to assess the adoption, implementation, and impact of TIER-HF-PC. Hence, the analysis will involve both inductive and deductive approaches.
Patient anxiety and depression
The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) will be used. This is a 14-item scale with a score range of 0 to 42. It is composed of two subscales- anxiety and depression- with a cut-off point of 11 for each subscale, that determines anxiety and depression of clinical significance.
Patient and Caregiver Spirituality
The Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual Well-Being 12 Item Scale (Facit-SP-12)/Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual Well-Being Non-Illness (FACIT-Sp Non-Illness) will be used. This is a 12-item survey that measures the spiritual well-being of patients and caregivers. The total of Facit-SP-12/ FACIT-Sp Non-Illness ranges from 0 to 48 with higher scores representing increased spirituality.
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National Cancer Centre, Singapore
Lead sponsor
National Heart Centre Singapore
Collaborator
Khoo Teck Puat Hospital
Collaborator
Sengkang General Hospital
Collaborator
