dr barbara riegel
Fulbright Senior Scholar
Media Profile
"Heart failure (HF) is increasing sharply in prevalence and incidence and now reflects a worldwide epidemic. The prevalence of HF is expected to increase by at least 70% in Australia by the year 2010. Combined inpatient and outpatient costs of care for HF in the U.S. exceed $50 billion dollars, making it the single most costly health care expenditure."
Dr Barbara Riegel, an Associate Professor from the School of Nursing at the University of Pennsylvania, is one of five Americans to be recognised a Fulbright Senior Scholar to Australia in 2007. Through her Fulbright Dr Riegel will undertake research with the Australian Catholic University into the Self-Care of Patients with Heart Failure.
“My research project will examine the self-care behaviors of persons with heart failure (HF),” explains Barbara. “Heart failure is a major public health problem in Australia, as it is in the U.S. Despite our different health care systems, we face many of the same problems in trying to deliver optimal care that gives patients the best outcomes in the most cost effective manner.”
“Self-care is an integral component of care for HF, as patients must manage their HF care on a daily basis. Specific self-care behaviors that are essential for persons with HF include: following the prescribed medicine and diet regimen; monitoring for symptoms so that they are recognised early; acting upon early symptoms by taking prescribed medicines or calling the provider; and evaluating the effectiveness of these actions.”
“Nurses in Australia have tested some of the most innovative HF disease management programs in the world, yet they too are unsure why some HF patients respond well to their interventions and others do not,” explains Barbara. “Results of this study will help determine if tailored interventions would be best for HF patients.”
Barbara has been recognised with a wide range of awards including the American Heart Association Lembright Award; the First Annual Nursing Research Award of the Heart Failure Society of America; and the Distinguished Alumni Award from the San Diego State University, College of Health and Human Services. She is editor of the Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing and two major cardiovascular nursing texts and has collaborated on research and publications with colleagues around the world. She currently serves as a doctoral student mentor for students in Thailand and Australia, co-mentoring doctoral students from the University of Melbourne and from Deakin University.