Views can be provided by patients, families, carers or healthcare staff Review strategy Synthesis of qualitative research: thematic analysis- information synthesised into main review findings. Results presented in detailed narrative format. Quality of the evidence was assessed by a GRADE CerQual approach for each review finding. 9.4.3 Qualitative evidence This evidence review was developed using the methods and process described in Developing NICE guidelines: the manual.236 Methods specific to this review question are described in the review protocol in appendix A. Declarations of interest were recorded according to NICE s 2014 conflicts of interest policy. 9.4.3.2 Summary of included studies A search was conducted for qualitative studies exploring the communication and support needs of people with heart failure at the time when diagnosis and prognosis are relayed to them by health Chronic Heart Failure Referral and approach to care NICE 2018. All rights reserved. Subject to Notice of rights. ISBN: 978-1-4731-3093-7 these are summarised in Table 138 below. Key findings from these studies are summarised in Section 9.4.3 below. See also the study selection flow chart in Appendix C, study evidence tables in appendix F, and excluded studies lists in appendix I. Table 138: Summary of studies included in the review Study Design Population Research aim Comments Semi-structured interviews with patients + carers. Thematic analysis. N=10 CHF patients recently discharged from hospital and one person each that they lived with and nominated a carer. Age: mean 72 (SD Severity NYHA class II-IV (6/10 NYHA class III) Explore the impact of heart failure on the lives of older patients and their informal carers. Part of larger study on palliative needs. Setting: UK, Barnsley. Barnes Individual interviews with patients + carer (if they wished to do so) and focus groups with HCPs. Thematic analysis. 