Table 1.

Semistructured Interview Guide: Domains of Interest and Sample Questions

Domain of Interest	Sample Question
Needs of heart failure patients	On the whole, what needs do your heart failure patients possess?
	How effective do you believe that you are in managing your heart failure patients' needs?
Knowledge and perceptions of palliative care	What is your familiarity with palliative care? How do you define it?
	Throughout our conversation, I've been using the term “palliative care,” and I've been hearing you use the term “hospice.” Are those interchangeable for you, or do you see a distinction between them?
	Can palliative care be helpful in the management of heart failure patients? If so, how? If not, why not?
Indications for, and optimal timing of, palliative care referral in heart failure	In your opinion, what makes a heart failure patient eligible for palliative care?
	In your opinion what makes a heart failure patient appropriate for palliative care?
Barriers to palliative care referral in heart failure	What are some of the barriers that you believe might be impeding the uptake of palliative care in heart failure?
	If you suspect that a heart failure patient can benefit from palliative care, who do you believe is responsible for having this discussion [with the patient]?