Author(s)

Bahati M. K. Wajanga^1,2*, Christine Y. Kim^3,4, Brandon A. Knettel^5,6, Adnan Juma⁷, Neema Kayange⁸, Evarist B. Msaki⁹, Deodatus Mabula¹, Audax Z. Malulu¹, Robert N. Peck^1,2,10,11, John A. Bartlett^5,7, Charles Muiruri^3,5,7

¹Department of Internal Medicine, Bugando Medical Centre, Mwanza, Tanzania.
²Department of Internal Medicine, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences—Bugando, Mwanza, Tanzania.
³Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.
⁴Department of Health Policy and Management, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
⁵Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
⁶School of Nursing, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
⁷Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Tanzania.
⁸Department of Pediatrics, Weill Bugando School of Medicine, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza, United Republic of Tanzania.
⁹Research and Consultancy Unit, Bugando Medical Centre, Mwanza, Tanzania.
¹⁰Division of Hospital Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York City, USA.
¹¹Center for Global Health, Department of Internal Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York City, USA.

Introduction: Transition of care strategies have shown to improve quality of lives of heart failure patients, but it has little implemented in clinical settings. Objective: To evaluate context-specific perceived barriers and experiences of heart failure patients during their admission and after they were discharged from hospital. Methods: A cross-sectional qualitative study was conducted among 13 heart failure patients at two large referral hospitals in northwestern Tanzania. In-depth interviews among heart failure patients, in line with the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative research checklist, were used to collect data. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and translated into English. Results: Three key barriers were identified, as well as possible solutions that could improve the transition of care for heart failure patients. These include strengthening healthcare provider communications, organizing medication management, and assisting with follow-up appointments. Conclusion: The barriers identified are real and challenging in clinical resource- limited settings. Findings suggest they can be overcome when realistic and tailor-made interventions are in place.

Heart Failure in Tanzania, Barrier, Transition of Care

Wajanga, B. , Kim, C. , Knettel, B. , Juma, A. , Kayange, N. , Msaki, E. , Mabula, D. , Malulu, A. , Peck, R. , Bartlett, J. and Muiruri, C. (2023) Barriers in the Transition of Care for Heart Failure Patients Attending Clinics in Mwanza City, Tanzania. World Journal of Cardiovascular Diseases, 13, 92-104. doi: 10.4236/wjcd.2023.132007.