Katie Hondow, Spencer Gulf Rural Health School A joint initiative of the University of South Australia and the University of Adelaide Funding: Supported by the PHCRED Strategy Team members: Assoc Professor Gary Misan, Dr Robyn Clarke

Chronic heart failure (HF) is a complex disease and an important contributor to the significant morbidity and mortality associated with cardiovascular disease in Australia.

By providing insight into some of the issues influencing primary care management of HF in rural communities, this new study identified opportunities to improve HF practices and patient outcomes for this serious condition.

Researchers studied HF management in two South Australian rural practices. They assessed GP concordance with national treatment guidelines, which are proven to reduce HF disability and death. Researchers identified areas where compliance with recommendations was high and where it appeared lower.

They also identified possible barriers to achieving best practice, such as few resident rural specialists and lack of specialist diagnostic equipment. Researchers also interviewed patients to explore their health literacy – which influences health outcomes – and found that patients generally had poor understandings of HF and its management.

This work is the first published research on HF management in rural South Australia. It makes a significant contribution to knowledge about HF management in primary care where current literature is mostly based on hospital-based or international studies.

The research findings offer new insights for practitioners and policymakers about the factors influencing the delivery of chronic disease management at the local level.