Patients' Experiences and Unmet Needs in Atrial Fibrillation: Implications for Person-Centred Care.
Ana Mónica Machado, Ana Sofia Ferraz, Fernanda Leite and 1 others
PMID 41761044WHAT IT FOUND
Older patients with long-standing atrial fibrillation described a lasting fear of stroke and symptom unpredictability that restricted their daily lives.
They asked for clearer information about their condition, predictable follow-up for anticoagulation, and practical help to overcome transport barriers, especially if they live in rural areas.
Key findings
01Patients reported that the shock of diagnosis and fear of complications persisted for decades, influencing their daily lives and help-seeking behaviour.
02Symptom unpredictability led patients to restrict physical activity and social engagement, impacting their autonomy and quality of life.
03Patients identified unmet needs including a desire for clearer information, more predictable monitoring of anticoagulation, and support with transport to appointments.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The study was conducted in a single public hospital in northern Portugal, limiting the transferability of findings to other regions or healthcare systems. Participants were cognitively intact and willing to be interviewed, potentially excluding those with more severe illness or communication barriers. The hospital-based setting may have introduced social desirability bias when patients discussed healthcare professionals. Many participants had been living with atrial fibrillation for an average of 19 years, meaning narratives about the initial diagnosis were reconstructed from memory, which may introduce recall bias.
Declared interests
The study was funded by the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) through Portuguese Research Funds. The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret the themes as evidence that specific nursing or medical interventions improve outcomes. This study describes patients' experiences and needs; it does not test whether addressing these needs leads to better clinical results or quality of life.