Palliative care in chronic heart failure in the Netherlands: practices, competencies and barriers among hospital-based healthcare professionals : From the Working Group of Palliative Care of the Netherlands Society of Cardiology (NVVC).
11 affiliations
- 1Department of Cardiology, OLVG Hospital Amsterdam, Oosterpark 9, 1091 AC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. [email protected].
- 2Department of Health Services Research, Care and Public Health Research Institute, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
- 3Department of Cardiology, Maxima Medical Centre, Veldhoven, The Netherlands.
- 4Department of Cardiology, Bernhoven Hospital, Uden, The Netherlands.
- 5Department of Cardiology, Elkerliek Hospital, Helmond, The Netherlands.
- 6Department of Cardiology, Medical Centre, Leeuwarden, The Netherlands.
- 7Department of Cardiology, Alrijne Hospital, Leiderdorp, The Netherlands.
- 8Department of Palliative Care, OLVG Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- 9Department of Cardiology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
- 10Department of Family Medicine, Care and Public Health Research Institute, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
- 11Department of Research and Development, CIRO, Horn, The Netherlands.
Abstract
Background
Although proven beneficial, palliative care (PC) and advance care planning (ACP) for patients with chronic heart failure (HF) are still underexposed. This study aimed to (1) explore current practices of hospital-based healthcare professionals (HCPs) regarding PC and ACP in chronic HF, (2) assess their competencies, and (3) identify barriers to integrate PC and ACP into routine chronic HF care in the Netherlands.Methods
A task force of the Netherlands Society of Cardiology developed an online survey using Qualtrics. The survey was distributed among HCPs involved in the care of patients with chronic HF by the Netherlands Society of Cardiology and the Dutch Society of Cardiovascular Nurses to contacts, and through social media channels between February and March 2022.Results
120 HCPs (cardiologists (49%), nurses and nurse practitioners (40%), and allied professionals (11%)) completed the survey. 97% of HCPs found PC and ACP for patients with chronic HF (very) important, yet only about one third providing such care regularly. While 78% reported being able to recognize PC needs, only 23% felt sufficiently skilled providing PC. Reported priorities for improvement included ACP, recognition of PC needs, interprofessional collaboration, communication with patients and significant others, and sufficient time to provide PC and ACP.Conclusions
HCPs acknowledge the importance of PC and ACP in chronic HF, but integration into routine practice remains limited. Barriers are lack of skills and time constraints. There is a need for education and appropriate organization of PC and ACP for patients with chronic HF in the Netherlands.
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BibTeX
@article{kuip2026palliative,
title = {{Palliative care in chronic heart failure in the Netherlands: practices, competencies and barriers among hospital-based healthcare professionals : From the Working Group of Palliative Care of the Netherlands Society of Cardiology (NVVC).}},
author = {Marjan S A Aertsen-van der Kuip and Yvonne M J Goërtz and D H Frank Gommans and Sebastiaan C A M Bekkers and Kirsten Boerlage-van Dijk and Margriet W Feenema-Aardema and Carolien M H B Lucas and Marike A de Meij and Nicole H M K Uszko-Lencer and Daisy J A Janssen},
journal = {Netherlands heart journal : monthly journal of the Netherlands Society of Cardiology and the Netherlands Heart Foundation},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1007/s12471-026-02083-1},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42837105},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Palliative care in chronic heart failure in the Netherlands: practices, competencies and barriers among hospital-based healthcare professionals : From the Working Group of Palliative Care of the Netherlands Society of Cardiology (NVVC).
AU - Marjan S A Aertsen-van der Kuip
AU - Yvonne M J Goërtz
AU - D H Frank Gommans
AU - Sebastiaan C A M Bekkers
AU - Kirsten Boerlage-van Dijk
AU - Margriet W Feenema-Aardema
AU - Carolien M H B Lucas
AU - Marike A de Meij
AU - Nicole H M K Uszko-Lencer
AU - Daisy J A Janssen
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/06
JO - Netherlands heart journal : monthly journal of the Netherlands Society of Cardiology and the Netherlands Heart Foundation
DO - 10.1007/s12471-026-02083-1
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42837105
AB - Background Although proven beneficial, palliative care (PC) and advance care planning (ACP) for patients with chronic heart failure (HF) are still underexposed. This study aimed to (1) explore current practices of hospital-based healthcare professionals (HCPs) regarding PC and ACP in chronic HF, (2) assess their competencies, and (3) identify barriers to integrate PC and ACP into routine chronic HF care in the Netherlands.Methods A task force of the Netherlands Society of Cardiology developed an online survey using Qualtrics. The survey was distributed among HCPs involved in the care of patients with chronic HF by the Netherlands Society of Cardiology and the Dutch Society of Cardiovascular Nurses to contacts, and through social media channels between February and March 2022.Results 120 HCPs (cardiologists (49%), nurses and nurse practitioners (40%), and allied professionals (11%)) completed the survey. 97% of HCPs found PC and ACP for patients with chronic HF (very) important, yet only about one third providing such care regularly. While 78% reported being able to recognize PC needs, only 23% felt sufficiently skilled providing PC. Reported priorities for improvement included ACP, recognition of PC needs, interprofessional collaboration, communication with patients and significant others, and sufficient time to provide PC and ACP.Conclusions HCPs acknowledge the importance of PC and ACP in chronic HF, but integration into routine practice remains limited. Barriers are lack of skills and time constraints. There is a need for education and appropriate organization of PC and ACP for patients with chronic HF in the Netherlands.
SN - 1568-5888
SN - 1876-6250
ER -