JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Patient education is crucial in secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Novel technologies like Mixed Reality expand the possibilities for visual support in this process. However, research on this technology in the patient domain is scarce.

Objective:

To understand how patients perceive information provided after myocardial infarction and examine if Mixed Reality can be supportive in this process.

Methods:

Twelve post-myocardial infarction (MI) patients and six healthcare professionals were enrolled. Clinical data as well as qualitative data were obtained, with a main focus on patient experiences within the hospital and the knowledge they gained about the disease. These data were used to map a susceptible timeframe to identify how MR can contribute to Patient Information and Education (PIE).

Results:

Knowledge transfer after myocardial infarction is perceived by patients as too extensive, not personal and inconsistent. Noticeably, anatomy- and medication-knowledge is minimal, but also not recognized as crucial. A patient journey indicated four critical phases of knowledge transfer; at hospital discharge, at the first outpatient visit, during rehabilitation and during all follow-up outpatient visits. Important patient goals are: understanding the event in relation to daily life and its implications on resuming daily life. During follow-up, understanding physical limitations and coping with the condition and medication side effects in daily life are most important. Professional’s goals are to improve recovery, enhance medication adherence and offer coping support.

Conclusions:

Patients experience a remarkable lack of anatomical and medication related knowledge in patients after myocardial infarction, although extensive information is shared by professionals on both topics. Mixed Reality may be a useful tool to unite perspectives of patients and professionals on the disease in a more evenly manner, and thus optimize knowledge transfer after MI.