'Engage me in taking care of my heart': a grounded theory study on patient-cardiologist relationship in the hospital management of heart failure

Objective

In approaching the study and practice of heart failure (HF) management, authors recognise that the patient–doctor relationship has a central role in engaging patients in their care. This study aims at identifying the features and the levers of HF patient engagement and suggestions for orienting clinical encounters.

Design

Using a grounded theory approach, we conducted 22 in-depth interviews (13 patients with HF, 5...