Virtual Support Group for Heart Failure Patients: A Preliminary Program Evaluation

BACKGROUND: The increasing global health burden of heart failure (HF) has prompted a shift toward more holistic care approaches, underscoring the vital role of nurses in leading multidisciplinary health education and promotion initiatives, such as HF support groups. Although virtual platforms have emerged as a promising avenue in improving cardiac care among HF patients, there remains a notable empirical gap in the current body of literature. PURPOSE: This program aims to introduce an innovative, multidisciplinary virtual support group designed for individuals with HF to improve patient satisfaction, promote collaborative engagement, and support holistic care in an outpatient setting. METHODS: This program employed an observational, multidimensional approach, drawing from Lewin’s change theory and the creativity, optimism, problem-solving, and expert information model. The program was implemented in a cardiac outpatient department within an academic research medical center in the northeastern region of the United States. A department-specific, postevaluation survey was created and administered to assess participants’ satisfaction and perceived value. RESULTS: Ten participants voluntarily joined, with 80% reporting high satisfaction. Patients’ feedback highlighted increased knowledge, emotional support, and interest in continued participation. Collaborators were also engaged and satisfied with the program, noting its potential benefits in optimizing HF management. Key themes, including individualized learning needs and peer validation, emerged from the narrative comments gathered from discussion briefs, which confirmed survey results. CONCLUSIONS: The nurse-led virtual HF support groups demonstrated promising benefits in supporting HF education and psychological support. Future research should focus on its scalability and long-term impact on patient care outcomes.