A comparative analysis of care seeking behaviors in people living with congestive heart failure during the covid-19 pandemic in the U.S. and U.K.

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic presented many challenges to persons living with chronic diseases. Patients living with Heart Failure (HF) faced complex challenges due to limitations to access to care due to restrictions associated with the pandemic. The purpose of the study was to examine the self-reported care seeking behaviors of HF patients in the US and UK. The primary aim was to differentiate the ability of HF patients in their respective countries to gain needed services during the pandemic, to examine the structural effects of the vastly different healthcare systems.

Methods: A quantitative descriptive design, using an online questionnaire, collected data between May and July 2020 among individuals with HF.

Results: US patients reported attending more HF-related appointments than their UK counterparts (p < .001). This is important since UK patients reported a greater likelihood of canceled appointments (p < .05). A greater proportion of US patients reported never having had an appointment canceled compared to those in the UK (p < .05). There were no differences in postponed appointments.

Conclusions: Overall, the comparison highlights the extensive availability of specialist services within the US model, contrasting with the UK's system that offers universal access to care.