Meet our members: Tiny Jaarsma

Professor in Nursing at Linköping University, Sweden; part-time Professor in Cardiovascular Nursing at University Medical Centre Utrecht, Netherlands

What led you to work in the field of heart failure?

I was working as a nurse in the Department of Cardiology when I met one particular patient with heart failure. I was struck by the impact heart failure was having on their life, and I became acutely aware of the long-term effects it can have on a patient and their family. This motivated me to focus on the topic of improving heart failure management.

What does an average day look like for you?

I do a mix of research and teaching. I lead a research team, and we primarily do studies on improving self-care and quality of life among people living with heart failure. As part of this, I do a lot of grant writing as well as drafting research papers and supervising my team.

In the field of heart failure, what’s working well in Sweden, and what could be improved?

We have a strong system of heart failure clinics and we’ve developed a good multidisciplinary approach to care, including independent roles for nurses and other allied professionals. What could be improved is how we deliver optimal care in multicultural settings, and also palliative care.

What motivated you to join the Heart Failure Policy Network?

Its international reach and its mission to improve care for patients with heart failure on different scales, including at a policy level.

What would you like to see from the Network in the future?

I would like to see the HFPN be a major player in the cardiovascular disease space, getting involved in representing the heart failure community at conferences and playing an active role in the development of new guidelines and international heart failure initiatives.

What changes would you like to see in heart failure on a global level?

We need comprehensive standards in the education of medical professionals about heart failure, as well as better sharing of international knowledge and best practices. This needs to include which interventions and approaches work in which settings. We all spend so much time developing new materials and tools – we could share much more.

What has been the most interesting or exciting research finding of the past decade?

Research that is aimed at empowering patients. In other words, exploring how patients can be supported to take an active role in their care and treatment.

Outside of work, what do you enjoy doing?

I try to write fiction – short stories.

The Heart Failure Policy Network brings together experts who are united in their passion: to improve outcomes for people living with heart failure.

We share profiles of our members to showcase what led them to work in heart failure, and find out about changes they would like to see in prevention and care.