This paper discusses the thematic analysis of interviews with 22 caregivers of people with heart failure. The research found that caregivers may have many unmet practical and emotional needs. Based on this evidence a caregiver needs assessment model, suitable for use by health and social care professionals was developed.

Wingham J, Frost J, Britten N: on behalf of the REACH-HF investigators. Behind the Smile: qualitative study of caregivers’ anguish and management responses while caring for someone living with heart failure. BMJ Open, 2017; 7: e014126. Read the full study here.