New article: Together with an interdisciplinary research team, we have published a qualitative study on the perspectives of patients with atrial fibrillation.
Abstract
Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a prevalent chronic condition with increasing incidence worldwide. The program “Future Patient—Telerehabilitation of Patients with AF” (FP-AF) was created to assess the effects and potential benefits of cardiac telerehabilitation on patients with AF.
Objective: The objective of this study was to explore the experiences of patients participating in the FP-AF program.
Methods: This qualitative sub-study is part of the multicenter, randomized controlled FP-AF trial, which included 208 patients. Semi-structured interviews were conducted on 14 patients, randomly selected from participants in the intervention arm of the FP-AF program. The patient interviews, guided by self-determination theory, focused on patients’ experiences with the FP-AF program, including the use of telerehabilitation technologies and a web-based portal called the “HeartPortal.”
Results: The following themes were identified: the home monitoring devices are viewed positively by the patients; the HeartPortal is a useful digital toolbox; patients develop new coping strategies for living with AF; the measured values are useful for the patients; the community of practice is beneficial; and the FP-AF program creates a sense of security.
Conclusions: Participation in the FP-AF program enhanced patients’ sense of security, empowerment, and knowledge about AF. This improvement was due largely to a combination of patients’ use of the HeartPortal and the educational sessions at health care centers. Telerehabilitation for patients with AF may be a useful way of researching this group of patients with a focus on rehabilitation and may be an effective means of offering rehabilitation to this group in the future.
The study has been funded by the Danish Heart Association.
