Empowering and educating people living with HF through monthly meetings of patient support groups

Herzschwäche Franken e.V, the national heart failure patient organisation, holds monthly meetings of support groups for people living with heart failure, in collaboration with hospitals in Nuremberg, Roth and Rotenburg an der Fulda. Sessions are led by an heart failure  specialist, often a nurse or cardiologist, and cover essential self-care topics including dietary restrictions, sexual health and travelling.^{1 2} Each session is followed by an hour of peer support and socialising. Attendance ranges from 10 to 50 people per meeting.¹

References

1. Klausnitzer W. 2020. Interview with Marissa Mes at The Health Policy PArtnership (Secretariat for Heart Failure Policy Network) [videoconference]. 21/08/20
2. Meyer G. 2020. Interview with Marissa Mes and Stephanie Whelan at The Health Policy Partnership (Secretariat for Heart Failure Policy Network) [Telephone]. 13/08/20