Key result
A survey assessing risk factors in 86 atrial fibrillation patients found that 67% reported low physical activity and 50% cited distance to the clinic as a barrier to attending educational programs.
Why the study?
Contemporary management of AF indicates a need for educational and self-care programs targeting lifestyle factors, prompting examination of clinical need and interest in risk factor modification programming among AF patients in a mostly rural area.
What is the clinical need and interest in educational and self-care programs for risk factor modification among patients with atrial fibrillation in a mostly rural area?
Cross-Sectional (n=86)
What is the clinical need and interest in educational and self-care programs for risk factor modification among patients with atrial fibrillation in a mostly rural area?
Patients with atrial fibrillation in rural areas show a high need and interest in educational programming for physical activity and weight loss, though distance to care remains a significant barrier.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Patients in rural areas show interest in AF risk factor programs; leaves open whether implementation improves outcomes.
Background: Contemporary management of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) indicates the need for educational and self-care programs to address lifestyle factors. Aims: This study examined the clinical need and interest in programming for risk factor modification in AF patients residing in a mostly rural area. Methods: Participants with AF ( n = 86) were recruited during university-based cardiac electrophysiology appointments and asked to complete a 10-min survey battery assessing a range of risk factors spanning physical activity, knowledge, ability, interest, and engagement, as well as psychologic function. Results: AF risk factor reports indicated broad potential need for AF programming with an average CHADS-VASC of 3.8, with approximately 67% reporting low physical activity, and 38% significant anxiety. Related to self-care topics, education on physical activity was the highest-rated program, but weight-loss programming was rated as the most likely to attend. Distance to the clinic was the most often cited barrier, 50% of sample. Conclusions: AF patients demonstrated a need and view educational programming in the realm of physical activity and weight-loss as desirable. Increased research is needed to determine format and duration of treatment deemed efficacious and able to overcome specific barriers such as distance to care.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Tripp et al. (2020) conducted a cross-sectional in Atrial Fibrillation (n=86). Survey assessing risk factors and interest in educational programming was evaluated on Clinical need and interest in programming for risk factor modification. A survey assessing risk factors in 86 atrial fibrillation patients found that 67% reported low physical activity and 50% cited distance to the clinic as a barrier to attending educational programs.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: