Ling Zhang1, Robyn Gallagher1, Nicole Lowres1, Jessica Orchard2, S Ben Freedman3, Lis Neubeck4. 1. Sydney Nursing School, Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia. 2. Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW Australia. 3. Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW Australia; Heart Research Institute, Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Anzac Research Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia. 4. Sydney Nursing School, Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: lis.neubeck@sydney.edu.au.
Abstract
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether using the 'think aloud' technique during standard quality of life surveys provides useful additional information about patients' experiences of living with atrial fibrillation (AF) and health related quality of life (HRQoL). BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac arrhythmia and has serious health consequences, particularly ischaemic stroke, high rates of morbidity and mortality and poor HRQoL. Standard quality-of-life questionnaires are often used but may not provide sufficient detail of patients' experiences living with AF. DESIGN: A qualitative interpretative study based on semi-structured interviews. METHODS: Patients with AF (n=12) were recruited from the Choice of Health Options in Prevention of Cardiovascular Events-in Atrial Fibrillation (CHOICE-AF), a risk factor management program. Participants were interviewed using a 'think aloud' technique with questions guided by the AF Effects on Quality Of Life Questionnaire (AFEQT) and the Short Form-12 (SF-12). Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed thematically. RESULTS: Participants had a median age of 71 years (interquartile range 52 to 77 years), and included four women and eight men. Four themes were identified related to experiences of living with AF and HRQoL including: (1) the adverse impact of atrial fibrillation symptoms, treatments, and related knowledge; (2) loss of function or independence; (3) the influence of age; and (4) approach to life. CONCLUSIONS: Atrial fibrillation, especially in older adults, creates an additional layer of requirements for self-management onto existing self-care needs. Even for patients with relatively high HRQoL, the 'think aloud' technique together with standard HRQoL questionnaires can help identify additional issues that can be addressed by health professionals to improve the HRQoL of these patients.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether using the 'think aloud' technique during standard quality of life surveys provides useful additional information about patients' experiences of living with atrial fibrillation (AF) and health related quality of life (HRQoL). BACKGROUND:Atrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac arrhythmia and has serious health consequences, particularly ischaemic stroke, high rates of morbidity and mortality and poor HRQoL. Standard quality-of-life questionnaires are often used but may not provide sufficient detail of patients' experiences living with AF. DESIGN: A qualitative interpretative study based on semi-structured interviews. METHODS:Patients with AF (n=12) were recruited from the Choice of Health Options in Prevention of Cardiovascular Events-in Atrial Fibrillation (CHOICE-AF), a risk factor management program. Participants were interviewed using a 'think aloud' technique with questions guided by the AF Effects on Quality Of Life Questionnaire (AFEQT) and the Short Form-12 (SF-12). Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed thematically. RESULTS:Participants had a median age of 71 years (interquartile range 52 to 77 years), and included four women and eight men. Four themes were identified related to experiences of living with AF and HRQoL including: (1) the adverse impact of atrial fibrillation symptoms, treatments, and related knowledge; (2) loss of function or independence; (3) the influence of age; and (4) approach to life. CONCLUSIONS:Atrial fibrillation, especially in older adults, creates an additional layer of requirements for self-management onto existing self-care needs. Even for patients with relatively high HRQoL, the 'think aloud' technique together with standard HRQoL questionnaires can help identify additional issues that can be addressed by health professionals to improve the HRQoL of these patients.
Authors: Mohiul I Chowdhury; Karam Turk-Adawi; Abraham Samuel Babu; Gabriela Lime de Melo Ghisi; Pamela Seron; Tee Joo Yeo; Jamal Uddin; Martin Heine; Marianna Garcia Saldivia; Evangelia Kouidi; Masoumeh Sadeghi; Raghdah Aljehani; Sherry L Grace Journal: Glob Heart Date: 2022-01-11
Authors: Kathleen Yin; Joshua Jung; Enrico Coiera; Liliana Laranjo; Ann Blandford; Adeel Khoja; Wan-Tien Tai; Daniel Psillakis Phillips; Annie Y S Lau Journal: J Med Internet Res Date: 2020-06-02 Impact factor: 5.428