Combinations of search terms related to illness experience,
symptoms, and self-care management in HF were used to search three
electronic databases. Inclusion criteria were empirical studies, published in English
between 2001 and 2011, in populations of older patients (≥ 75 years) investigated
in relation to a self-reported subjective experience of HF. The search
initially yielded 279 results; 23 qualitative and qualitative studies met the inclusion
criteria.