EMERGE is a PI-initiated feasibility study that aims to evaluate the accessibility, usability, effectiveness and relevance of an integrated psycho-behavioral intervention on heart failure patients in order to increase support, outreach and general well-being of these patients following hospitalization due to heart failure exacerbation.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adult male and female patients, age ≥ 18 hospitalized at Duke inpatient service because of heart failure
• NYHA Class ≥ II

Exclusion Criteria:

• Significant cognitive impairment, indicated as a mini-mental state exam (MMSE) total score of 23 or lower
• Lack of convenient internet access outside of hospital
• Alcohol or other drug dependence/abuse within past 90 days as evaluated by review of medical record and patient interview (SCID)
• Severe physical disability (visual, sensory or motor) that may interfere with study participation (assessment, online interactive learning)
• History or presence of psychoses, bipolar disorder, and/or severe personality disorders as evaluated by review of medical record and patient interview (SCID)
• Life-threatening co-morbidity with the likelihood of 50% mortality in one year
• Active suicidal ideations
• Female patients of childbearing potential
• Treatment with electroconvulsive therapy or transcranial magnetic stimulation within past 90 days
• Uncorrected hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism