JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common clinically significant heart rhythm disorder and poses a growing disease burden around the world due to a rapidly aging population. A multidisciplinary approach with an emphasis on patient education and self-management has been shown to improve outcomes for AF through engagement of patients in their own care. While electronic tools (e-tools) such as applications (‘apps’) have been proposed to provide patient education and facilitate self-management, there have been few studies to guide the development of these tools in this patient population.

Objective:

The aim of the study is to explore patients’ and healthcare providers’ perceptions of and attitudes towards the use of e-tools for AF self-management.

Methods:

Semi-structured qualitative interviews with healthcare providers and patients were conducted to understand the interpretations and expectations of an e-tool that would be used for self-management of AF. Interview data were analysed using an exploratory thematic analysis approach to uncover emergent themes and infer ideas of preferred features in a device. Data from healthcare providers and patients was compared and contrasted.

Results:

Both patients and healthcare providers thought that an e-tool would be useful in AF self-management. While both groups favoured educational content and monitoring of blood pressure, patients expressed more passivity towards self-care and an ambivalence towards the use of technology to monitor their medical condition. Instead, they favoured using the app as a means to contact their healthcare providers.

Conclusions:

The study provides insights into differing attitudes of patients and healthcare providers towards the use of e-tools for self-care and their starkly different priorities. Understanding patients’ motivations and their needs are key to ensure higher acceptance of such tools.