Physical activity recommendations for patients with heart failure based on sex: A qualitative interview study.
OBJECTIVE
Physical activity is an essential part of managing heart failure. However, adherence to activity recommendations is low, especially in female patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the perceptions of healthcare providers regarding sex differences in physical activity, motivation, barriers, and whether adaptations in care based on sex might be meaningful.


METHODS
This is a qualitative study; data were collected in semi-structured interviews with healthcare providers. The data were analysed using qualitative content analysis.


RESULTS
The major overarching theme was that healthcare providers feel that "Men and women are equal, but different". This theme was explained in terms of 7 sub-themes with associated categories, as follows: "Men and women prefer and perform different physical activity regardless of health status", "Male and female heart failure patients have different motivations for, and barriers to, being active", "Factors related to differences in physical activity and physical capacity between male and female heart failure patients", "Heart failure has more impact on physical activity and physical capacity than patient's sex", and "Tailoring activity advice for heart failure patients based on sex."


DISCUSSION
Healthcare providers had clear opinions regarding the existence of sex differences that might affect patients' care. Several differences were identified in male and female heart failure patients in terms of physical activity. There seems to be a conflict between fear of discriminating and the value of personalizing care.
['Cewers|Emilie|E|', 'Joensson|Adam|A|', 'Weinstein|Jean Marc|JM|', 'Ben Gal|Tuvia|T|', 'Jaarsma|Tiny|T|']
D015444:Exercise D005260:Female D006333:Heart Failure D006801:Humans D007406:Interview, Psychological D008297:Male D008875:Middle Aged D036301:Qualitative Research D012727:Sex Characteristics
heart failure qualitative women exercise