Key result
Preventive oral anticoagulation therapy for atrial fibrillation was perceived by 15 interviewed patients as a necessary evil, weighing a vital treatment against undesirable consequences and risks.
Why the study?
The study was conducted to explore patients' experiences of preventive anticoagulation therapy in atrial fibrillation.
What are patients' experiences of preventive anticoagulation therapy in atrial fibrillation?
What are patients' experiences of preventive anticoagulation therapy in atrial fibrillation?
Patients view oral anticoagulation for atrial fibrillation as a 'necessary evil,' balancing vital treatment against undesirable consequences while navigating their role as partners versus mere receivers of care.
AIM: The aim of this study was to explore patients' experiences of preventive anticoagulation therapy in atrial fibrillation. DESIGN: This was a descriptive qualitative study based on interviews. METHODS: Individual interviews with 15 patients, 6 women and 9 men, treated with preventive oral anticoagulant due to atrial fibrillation, were conducted. The interviews were analysed with qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: Based on the analysis, the theme Managing a necessary evil emerged. The theme comprised the three categories: Coping with anxiety and changes in daily life, Having confidence in care and Being a partner or only a receiver of treatment. Patients described it like being faced with a situation where a treatment perceived as vital was weighed against undesirable consequences and risks. Patients trusted caregivers and had confidence in care, but there was a risk of being a receiver of care instead of becoming a partner.
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Olsson et al. (2021) studied atrial fibrillation (n=15). Preventive oral anticoagulation therapy was evaluated on Patients' experiences of preventive anticoagulation therapy. Preventive oral anticoagulation therapy for atrial fibrillation was perceived by 15 interviewed patients as a necessary evil, weighing a vital treatment against undesirable consequences and risks.
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