EuroHeartCare congress 2014 in Stravenger, Norway highlights the use of technology in cardiac care

RAT and CATCH member Dr Katherine Easton flew out to Norway at the start of April to attend the European Society of Cardiology, EuroHeartCare congress 2014. The theme of the congress this year was Heart & Mind.

Some of the topics featured in the 2014 programme included:

• Shared decision making: The pinnacle of patient-centred care
• E-health and applications in heart disease: Efficacy and challenges
• Palliative care: What do patients and caregivers want and what do health care professionals have to offer?
• Screening patients for psychological distress in clinical practice: Pros and cons
• Monitoring care and outcomes in peripheral arterial disease

Dr Katherine Easton with her poster at the congress

Katherine presented two abstracts from her PhD research, exploring the prevalence, nature and impact of anxiety on reported health related quality of life in patients with a diagnosis of heart failure. Both abstracts have been published in the European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing (April 2014, supplement).

The use of technology to support patients with cardiovascular conditions came across as a clear theme in the three day event – with speakers discussing the use of computer games to increase physical therapy for heart failure patients, eHealth to reduce distress after ICD implantation and the use of technology to deliver care remotely for patients in geographically remote areas including those at sea. The event provided an ideal opportunity to network with international colleagues and develop partnerships for European Funding calls. 

For more information on the event go to the CATCH twitter feed or contact Dr. Katherine Easton on k.a.easton@sheffield.ac.uk or  0114 222 0690