What are the key findings from the evidence synthesis regarding diagnosis of heart failure?
The evidence from the review was grouped into four findings, each of which contained multiple sub-findings. These key findings are summarised below: Diagnosis of heart failure: the evidence suggested that clinicians find the diagnosis itself and the ensuing communication around diagnosis challenging. The timing of and setting in which the diagnosis is communicated is important, taking care to avoid busy environments that do not foster the sensitive relay of information. The diagnosis itself was seen as a gradual process allowing the information and guidance around diagnosis to be passed on to patients in a manageable way.