Testing the Heart Failure Carer Support Programme HELP in the UK to improve support for carers and patients

What this Trial Is About

Heart failure is a common condition in the United Kingdom, where many patients depend on family members or friends to help care for them. These caregivers often face challenges and stress due to their role, which can affect their own mental and physical health. The Heart Failure Carer Support Programme HELP is the first intervention developed in the UK to support these carers by helping them care for themselves and the patients they assist. The study aims to find the best way to provide HELP across the UK and measure its effects on both carers and patients. HELP is delivered by heart failure nurses to about 180 informal carers across three UK locations. The programme consists of six weekly online support group sessions lasting one hour each, led by specialist nurses via video calls. Carers also receive an educational booklet and access to a website for additional guidance. Patients supported by these carers, also around 180 individuals, will provide information to assess how HELP affects both carers and patients over time. Participants will provide information at different times before the programme starts, during the six weeks of HELP, immediately after finishing, and six months later. Researchers will collect data through interviews, logs, and questionnaires to understand how well HELP is delivered and what factors influence its success. They will also measure hospital admissions, doctor visits, and quality of life for patients, as well as burden, preparedness, and quality of life for carers. The study will last up to one year, including monitoring costs and long-term effects.

Heart Failure Carer Support Programme: Implementation Testing in the UK.