Experiences of Patients with Heart Failure in Transition from Hospital to Home in China: A Qualitative Study.

Objective: To explore the transitional care experiences of patients with heart failure (HF) in China, identifying the challenges they face and their needs during the transition from hospital to home.

Methods: A qualitative approach was employed, recruiting 18 participants from a tertiary hospital cardiology department between June and October 2023. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed using thematic analysis.

Results: Among the participants, 83% (15/18) reported feeling inadequately prepared for self-monitoring, with rural patients facing additional difficulties; 67% (12/18) relied on unverified online resources for health information, and 78% (14/18) surrendered medication management to family members. Finally, 89% (16/18) expressed a need for extended hospital guidance, with rural participants highlighting financial difficulty as a significant concern.

Conclusion: The study concludes that there is an urgent need for transitional care reform in China, including standardised discharge protocols, hospital-led telehealth platforms and government-subsidised rehabilitation programmes. These interventions should address urban-rural disparities and reduce caregiver dependency to improve the quality of life for patients with HF during the transition from hospital to home.