Title |
Supporting patients to self-monitor their oral anticoagulation therapy: recommendations based on a qualitative study of patients’ experiences
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Published in |
British Journal of General Practice, June 2015
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DOI | 10.3399/bjgp15x685645 |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
Alice Tompson, Carl Heneghan, David Fitzmaurice, Stephen Sutton, Sian Harrison, Alison Ward |
Abstract |
Clinical trials suggest that oral anticoagulation therapy (OAT) self-monitoring is safe and effective, however little is known about the patient experience of this process. There is a lack of understanding about how best to train and support patients embarking on OAT self-monitoring. To collect in-depth information about patients' experiences of OAT self-monitoring outside of clinical trial conditions and to produce a set of recommendations on how best to support such patients. Semi-structured qualitative interviews with patients who self-monitor and live in England. In total, 26 of the 267 (9.7%) who participated in the Cohort study of Anticoagulation Self-Monitoring (CASM) and were still self-monitoring after 12 months' follow-up were interviewed. Topics discussed included experiences of OAT self-monitoring, healthcare support, training, and decision making. Framework analysis was used. Following initial problems using the monitoring device, interviewees described a mostly positive experience. Although less effort was expended attending monitoring appointments with health professionals, effort was required to conduct self-monitoring tests and to interpret and act on the results. Desire to self-manage was variable, especially when dosing advice systems worked promptly and reliably. Interviewees overcame patchy healthcare system knowledge and support of self-monitoring by educating themselves. Family and friends provided support with learning to use the monitor and managing OAT dosage adjustments. Better, more-consistent training and health-service support would have alleviated a number of problems encountered by these patients who were self-monitoring. This training and support will become even more important if self-monitoring becomes more accessible to the general population of people on OAT. |
Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
United Kingdom | 1 | 1% |
Unknown | 67 | 99% |
Demographic breakdown
Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Student > Bachelor | 11 | 16% |
Student > Master | 9 | 13% |
Researcher | 6 | 9% |
Student > Doctoral Student | 5 | 7% |
Student > Ph. D. Student | 5 | 7% |
Other | 10 | 15% |
Unknown | 22 | 32% |
Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Medicine and Dentistry | 14 | 21% |
Nursing and Health Professions | 13 | 19% |
Psychology | 7 | 10% |
Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutical Science | 3 | 4% |
Agricultural and Biological Sciences | 2 | 3% |
Other | 1 | 1% |
Unknown | 28 | 41% |