scholarly journals Health Literacy and Atrial Fibrillation: Relevance and Future Directions for Patient-centred Care

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Konstantinos N Aronis ◽  
Brittany Edgar ◽  
Wendy Lin ◽  
Maria Auxiliadora Parreiras Martins ◽  
Michael K Paasche-Orlow ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Stroke Prevention ◽  
Clinical Importance ◽  
Shared Decision ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Symptom Monitoring

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common cardiac arrhythmia with significant clinical outcomes, and is associated with high medical and social costs. AF is complicated for patients because of its specialised terminology, long-term adherence, symptom monitoring, referral to specialty care, array of potential interventions and potential for adversity. Health literacy is a frequently under-recognised, yet fundamental, component towards successful care in AF. Health literacy is defined as the capacity to obtain, process and understand health information, and has had markedly limited study in AF. However, health literacy could contribute to how patients interpret symptoms, navigate care, and participate in treatment evaluation and decision-making. This review aims to summarise the clinical importance and essential relevance of health literacy in AF. We focus here on central aspects of AF care that are most related to self-care, including understanding the symptoms of AF, shared decision-making, adherence and anticoagulation for stroke prevention. We discuss opportunities to enhance AF care based on findings from the literature on health literacy, and identify important gaps. Our overall objective is to articulate the importance and relevance of integrating health literacy in the care of individuals with AF.

scholarly journals Assessment of Shared Decision-making for Stroke Prevention in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation

2020 ◽  
Vol 180 (9) ◽  
pp. 1215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marleen Kunneman ◽  
Megan E. Branda ◽  
Ian G. Hargraves ◽  
Angela L. Sivly ◽  
Alexander T. Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Shared Decision Making ◽  
Stroke Prevention ◽  
Shared Decision

scholarly journals Personalized, Electronic Health Record–Integrated Decision Aid for Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation: A Small Cluster Randomized Trial and Qualitative Analysis of Efficacy and Acceptability

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stacey L. Schott ◽  
Julia Berkowitz ◽  
Shayne E. Dodge ◽  
Curtis L. Petersen ◽  
Catherine H. Saunders ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Shared Decision Making ◽  
Stroke Prevention ◽  
Decision Aid ◽  
Stroke Risk ◽  
Cluster Randomized Trial ◽  
Decisional Conflict ◽  
Patient Knowledge ◽  
Shared Decision

Background: Shared decision-making in cardiology is increasingly recommended to improve patient-centeredness of care. Decision aids can improve patient knowledge and decisional quality but are infrequently used in real-world practice. This mixed-methods study tests the efficacy and acceptability of a decision aid integrated into the electronic health record (Integrated Decision Aid [IDeA]) and delivered by clinicians for patients with atrial fibrillation considering options to reduce stroke risk. We aimed to determine whether the IDeA improves patient knowledge, reduces decisional conflict, and is seen as acceptable by clinicians and patients. Methods: A small cluster randomized trial included 6 cardiovascular clinicians and 66 patients randomized either to the IDeA (HealthDecision) or usual care (clinician discretion) during a clinical encounter when stroke prevention treatment options were discussed. The primary outcome was patient knowledge of personalized stroke risk. Exploratory outcomes included decisional conflict, values concordance, trust, the presence of a shared decision-making process, and patient knowledge related to time spent using the IDeA. Additionally, we conducted semistructured interviews with clinicians and patients who used the IDeA were conducted to assess acceptability and predictions of future use. Results: The IDeA significantly increased patients’ knowledge of their stroke risk (odds ratio, 3.88 [95% CI, 1.39–10.78]; P <0.01]). Patients had less uncertainty about their final decision ( P =0.04). There were no significant differences in values concordance, trust in clinician or shared decision-making. Despite training, each clinician used the IDeA differently. Qualitative analysis revealed patients prefer using the IDeA earlier in their diagnosis. Clinicians were satisfied with the IDeA, yet varied in the contexts in which they planned to use it in the future. Conclusions: Using an Integrated Decision Aid, or IDeA, increases patient knowledge and lessens uncertainty for decision-making around stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation. Qualitative data provide insight into potential implementation strategies in real-world practice.

scholarly journals Understanding the barriers to using oral anticoagulants among long-term aspirin users with atrial fibrillation – A qualitative study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanessa WS Ng ◽  
Chung-Wah Siu ◽  
Patrick KC Chiu ◽  
Carolyn PL Kng ◽  
Elizabeth Jamieson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Stroke Prevention ◽  
Treatment Guidelines ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Bleeding Complications ◽  
Suitable Alternative ◽  
Prevention Therapy

Abstract Background: Despite international treatment guidelines currently advocating oral anticoagulants (OACs) as the only appropriate stroke prevention therapy for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and evidence that OACs can greatly reduce the risk of stroke with similar risk of bleeding compared with aspirin, the underuse of OACs in patients with AF is common globally, especially in Asia. This study aimed to identify the barriers to prescribing and using OACs among long-term aspirin users with AF.Method: Face-to-face interviews were conducted with fourteen eligible patients with AF using a semi-structured interview guide. The interview recordings were transcribed verbatim and data was analyzed according to the principles of thematic analysis.Results: Five themes were developed: awareness of AF symptoms and diagnosis; knowledge and understanding of AF and stroke prevention therapy; role of decision-making in prescribing; willingness to switch from aspirin to OACs; and impact of OAC regimen on daily living. The majority of the patients were not aware of the symptoms and diagnosis of AF and only had a vague understanding of the illness and stroke prevention therapy, leading to their minimal involvement in decisions relating to their treatment. Some patients and their caregivers were particularly concerned about the bleeding complications from OACs and perceived aspirin to be a suitable alternative as they find the adverse effects from aspirin manageable and so preferred to remain on aspirin if switching to OACs was not compulsory. Lastly, the lifestyle modifications required when using warfarin, e.g. alternative dosing regimen, diet restriction, were seen as barriers to some patients and caregivers.Conclusion: The findings revealed patients’ knowledge gap in AF management which may be targeted using educational interventions to improve patients’ understanding of AF and its management and hence encourage active participation in the decision-making of their treatment in the future.

scholarly journals Understanding the Barriers to Using Oral Anticoagulants Among Long-Term Aspirin Users With Atrial Fibrillation – A Qualitative Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanessa WS Ng ◽  
Chung-Wah Siu ◽  
Patrick KC Chiu ◽  
Carolyn PL Kng ◽  
Elizabeth Jamieson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Stroke Prevention ◽  
Treatment Guidelines ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Bleeding Complications ◽  
Suitable Alternative ◽  
Prevention Therapy

Abstract Background: Despite international treatment guidelines currently advocating oral anticoagulants (OACs) as the only appropriate stroke prevention therapy for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and evidence that OACs can greatly reduce the risk of stroke with similar risk of bleeding compared with aspirin, the underuse of OACs in patients with AF is common globally, especially in Asia. This study aimed to identify the barriers to prescribing and using OACs among long-term aspirin users with AF.Method: Face-to-face interviews were conducted with fourteen eligible patients with AF using a semi-structured interview guide. The interview recordings were transcribed verbatim and data was analyzed according to the principles of thematic analysis.Results: Five themes were developed: awareness of AF symptoms and diagnosis; knowledge and understanding of AF and stroke prevention therapy; role of decision-making in prescribing; willingness to switch from aspirin to OACs; and impact of OAC regimen on daily living. The majority of the patients were not aware of the symptoms and diagnosis of AF and only had a vague understanding of the illness and stroke prevention therapy, leading to their minimal involvement in decisions relating to their treatment. Some patients and their caregivers were particularly concerned about the bleeding complications from OACs and perceived aspirin to be a suitable alternative as they find the adverse effects from aspirin manageable and so preferred to remain on aspirin if switching to OACs was not compulsory. Lastly, the lifestyle modifications required when using warfarin, e.g. alternative dosing regimen, diet restriction, were seen as barriers to some patients and caregivers. Conclusion: The findings revealed patients’ knowledge gap in AF management which may be targeted using educational interventions to improve patients’ understanding of AF and its management and hence encourage active participation in the decision-making of their treatment in the future.

scholarly journals Permanent Bilateral Carotid Filters for Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tom De Potter ◽  
Ofer Yodfat ◽  
Guy Shinar ◽  
Avraham Neta ◽  
Vivek Y. Reddy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Stroke Prevention ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Mechanical Filter ◽  
Bilateral Carotid ◽  
The Common

Abstract Purpose of Review A novel permanent carotid filter device for percutaneous implantation was developed for the purpose of stroke prevention. In this review, we cover rationale, existing preclinical and clinical data, and potential future directions for research using such a device. Recent Findings The Vine™ filter was assessed for safety in sheep and in 2 observational human studies, the completed CAPTURE 1 (n = 25) and the ongoing CAPTURE 2 (planned n = 100). CAPTURE 1 has shown high procedural and long-term implant safety. A control group was not available for comparison. Summary A mechanical filter for permanent stroke prevention can be implanted bilaterally in the common carotid artery safely and efficiently. A randomized trial is planned for 2021 (n = 3500, INTERCEPT) to demonstrate superiority of a filter + anticoagulation strategy over anticoagulation alone in patients at high risk for ischemic stroke.

Abstract 13111: Factors Associated With Patient Engagement in Shared Decision-Making for Stroke Prevention Among Older Adults With Atrial Fibrillation: Implications for Patient-Provider Communication

Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (Suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jordy Mehawej ◽  
Jane Saczynski ◽  
Hawa O Abu ◽  
Benita Bamgbade ◽  
Marc Gagnier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Shared Decision Making ◽  
Patient Engagement ◽  
Stroke Prevention ◽  
Cognitively Impaired ◽  
Shared Decision ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Long Term Treatment

Introduction: Though engaging patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) in the decision-making process for stroke prevention is encouraged by guidelines, little is known about the extent of, and the factors associated with, patient engagement in this process. Hypothesis: Patient engagement in shared decision-making (SDM) would be modest and that older participants will less likely engage in SDM for stroke prevention. Methods: Data are from the ongoing SAGE (Systematic Assessment of Geriatric Elements)-AF study which enrolled older adults aged 65 years and older with AF from clinics in Massachusetts and Georgia. Participants on an oral anticoagulant (OAC) reported whether they were engaged in the decision to be on an OAC by answering “Yes” to the question: “Did you participate actively in choosing to take an OAC?”. We used multiple logistic regression analysis to examine the sociodemographic, geriatric, psychosocial, and clinical factors associated with patient engagement in SDM for stroke prevention. Results: Participants (N= 807) were on average 75 years old and 48% were female. Approximately, 61% engaged in the decision to be on an OAC. Participants aged 80 years and older (aOR= 0.53; 95 % CI:0.31-0.89) and those cognitively impaired (aOR= 0.69; 95 % CI: 0.48, 0.99) were less likely to engage in SDM than respective comparison groups. Participants who reported being very knowledgeable of their AF associated risk of stroke had higher odds of engaging in SDM than those with less knowledge (aOR= 3.06; 95 % CI:1.59, 5.90). Conclusions: Clinicians should identify older patients and those who are cognitively impaired who are less likely to engage in SDM for stroke prevention, promote patient engagement, and provide support to ensure sustained engagement that would enhance long-term treatment outcomes for patients with AF.

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