Table 130: Characteristics of review question Objective Explore patient and staff experiences and preferences regarding transition and continuity of care at the interface of different care settings in heart failure. This may enable the identification of barriers (where the problems are) and facilitators (examples of good practice) to continuity of care when transitioning between heart failure care settings. Population and setting Patients with heart failure in a primary care, outpatient or community setting. Carers for such patients, both family/informal carers, and health-care professionals (HCP) Context Any description of patient or staff member experiences or preferences regarding transition and continuity of care at the interface of different care settings. Review strategy Synthesis of qualitative research. Quality of the evidence will be assessed by a GRADE CerQual approach for each review finding. 9.3.3 Qualitative evidence A search was conducted for qualitative studies exploring experiences or preferences of people with heart failure (CHF) or health care professionals (HCP) regarding transition and continuity of care at the interface of different heart failure care settings. Fifteen qualitative studies were included in the these are summarised in Table 131 below. Key findings from these studies are described in the qualitative evidence synthesis (section 9.3.3.4) and summarised in the qualitative evidence summary (section 9.3.3.5). See also the study selection flow chart in Appendix C, study evidence tables in Appendix F, and excluded studies lists in Appendix I. Chronic Heart Failure Referral and approach to care NICE 2018. All rights reserved. Subject to Notice of rights. ISBN: 978-1-4731-3093-7 9.3.3.2 Qualitative synthesis The guideline committee was aware that the issue of continuity is covered in the Patient experience in adult NHS services NICE Clinical Guidance February 2012 (CG138)233 , and wished to build on that guidance. 