Key result
An 8-session virtual education program (AF-at-Home) for patients with atrial fibrillation yielded 7 primary themes regarding perceived benefits, including building knowledge and reducing anxiety.
Why the study?
Patients with AF face knowledge gaps and misconceptions about their condition, highlighting a need for education to support self-management during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Does an 8-session virtual education intervention improve patient experiences and perceived benefits in patients with atrial fibrillation?
Does an 8-session virtual education intervention improve patient experiences and perceived benefits in patients with atrial fibrillation?
A virtual education program for AF patients during the COVID-19 pandemic was perceived as beneficial for building knowledge, reducing anxiety, and improving self-efficacy.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
May inform virtual AF education design; hypothesis-generating pending quantitative trials on outcomes.
BACKGROUND: Authors of studies of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) have identified several knowledge gaps and misconceptions regarding the condition and its management. The COVID-19 pandemic heightened isolation of patients and underscored the need for education and knowledge building in order for patients to effectively manage AF during times of increased health risk. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess, using a qualitative approach, the experiences and perceived benefits of patients with AF regarding an 8-session virtual education intervention (AF-at-Home) during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A qualitative study with 3 focus groups using a semistructured focus group guide was conducted and recorded online with the same trained moderator. RESULTS: We identified 7 primary themes emerging from patients' experiences: (1) building knowledge beyond information available in clinic visits, (2) managing anxiety, (3) generating self-efficacy, (4) providing social comparison, (5) perceived benefits of both experiential and informational content, (6) facilitating self-management behaviors, and (7) facilitating communication with providers. CONCLUSIONS: The analysis of the focus groups shows the benefits of a virtual education program in building knowledge, skills, and self-efficacy as well as reducing anxiety and normalizing one's experience by attending a program alongside other patients with AF.
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Mihas et al. (2023) studied atrial fibrillation. 8-session virtual education intervention (AF-at-Home) was evaluated on experiences and perceived benefits. An 8-session virtual education program (AF-at-Home) for patients with atrial fibrillation yielded 7 primary themes regarding perceived benefits, including building knowledge and reducing anxiety.
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