BACKGROUND Heart failure (HF) is a chronic condition with a variety of diverse symptoms. Patients with HF are usually elderly with multimorbidity, which are both multifaceted and challenging. Being a next of kin to patients with HF is described as a complex task consisting of managing care and treatment, monitoring illness and being an emotional support, while also being able to navigate the healthcare system especially in long-term contact. However, few studies have investigated next of kin's perceptions of continuity of care in connection with HF. The present study aimed to describe continuity of care as perceived by the next of kin who care for patients with HF. METHODS This study used a qualitative descriptive design. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the next of kin (n = 15) of patients with HF to obtain their perceptions of continuity of care. A phenomenographic analysis method was used to capture the participants' perceptions of the phenomenon. RESULTS The analysis reveals that the next of kin perceive that support from healthcare professionals was strongly associated with experiences of continuity of care. Four categories reveal the next of kin's perceptions of continuity of care: Want to be involved without being in charge; A desire to be in control without acting as the driving force in the care situation; A need for sustainability without being overlooked; and Focusing on making life meaningful while being preoccupied with caregiving activities. CONCLUSIONS Next of kin perceive continuity of care, when they have access to care and treatment and when caregivers collaborate, regardless of healthcare is given by primary care, municipalities or specialist clinics. A sense of "being in good hands" sums up the need for continuous support, shared decision-making and seamless transitions between caregivers. It seems important that healthcare organisations safeguard effective and collaborative models. Moreover, professionals need to plan and perform healthcare in collaboration with patients and next of kin.

中文翻译：

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“一臂之力”：是近亲对心力衰竭患者护理连续性的看法。

背景技术心力衰竭（HF）是具有多种多样症状的慢性疾病。HF患者通常是患有多种疾病的老人，既多方面又具有挑战性。HF患者的近亲被描述为一项复杂的任务，包括管理护理和治疗，监测疾病以及提供情感支持，同时还能够导航医疗保健系统，尤其是在长期接触中。然而，很少有研究调查近亲对与HF相关的护理连续性的看法。本研究旨在描述照料HF患者的近亲所认为的照料的连续性。方法本研究采用定性描述设计。对近亲（n = 15）的HF患者进行半结构式访谈，以了解他们对护理连续性的看法。现象学分析方法用于捕获参与者对现象的看法。结果分析表明，近亲认为，医疗保健专业人员的支持与持续护理的经历密切相关。四个类别揭示了亲属对照护连续性的看法：想要参与而无需负责；希望在护理情况下不受控制而成为控制者；对可持续性的需求不容忽视；在专注于照顾活动的同时，使生活变得有意义。结论接下来，亲属会意识到护理的连续性，当他们有机会获得护理和治疗以及护理人员合作时，无论初级保健，市政当局或专科诊所提供的医疗服务如何。“好手”的感觉总结了需要持续支持，共同决策和看护人之间无缝过渡的需要。医疗保健组织必须维护有效的协作模型，这一点似乎很重要。此外，专业人员需要与患者和近亲合作计划和执行医疗保健。医疗保健组织必须维护有效的协作模型，这一点似乎很重要。此外，专业人员需要与患者和近亲合作计划和执行医疗保健。医疗保健组织必须维护有效的协作模型，这一点似乎很重要。此外，专业人员需要与患者和近亲合作计划和执行医疗保健。