Barriers to engaging in end-of-life communication in advanced illness management: Perceptions of patients with heart failure and their family caregivers

Introduction: Growing numbers of people are living longer with complex conditions. Integrated care models have been found to be effective for people with complex conditions such as heart failure. Heart failure is a serious illness characterized by symptoms, comorbidities, acute exacerbations and sporadic decline. Integrated care programs for heart failure management often emphasize patient education and self-care activities for illness …