Table 3.

Themes Identified during Analysis

Theme	Subthemes
Limited knowledge of PC	Minimal baseline understanding of PC
	Conflation of PC with hospice
	Positive view of PC after exposure to a standard definition, but not willing for palliative involvement yet
Preferences for specialty vs. primary PC	Preferences for primary PC included
	Confidence in their current providers and providers' knowledge of HF
	Continuity of care
	Cost
	Convenience
	Preferences for specialist PC included
	Expertise in symptom management
	Improved delivery of care and management of caregiver-related issues
	Time constraints
Triggers for specialist involvement	Absence of concrete timeframe for referral
	Dramatic loss of independence and exhaustion of treatment options cited as trigger points