None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common abnormal heart rhythm in the population and its prevalence is rapidly increasing. Sufferers of atrial fibrillation have a significantly impaired quality of life and their medical management is placing a growing burden on the Australian health care system. The proposed study will examine whether a home-based education program, will reduce hospital use and improve quality of life in AF patients compared to those patients who experience usual medical care.
Interventions
Home-based Education and Learning Package: 2 x Home visits (1-1.5 hrs in duration). Featuring clinical characterization and delivery of information using Structured Educational Visiting techniques via a trained allied health professionals at 1-2 and 7-8 weeks after enrollment. Main education principle will be to encourage the patient to become a participant in their AF specific health care rather than a passive 'passenger'. The intervention will include printed educational material, a personal
Home-based Education and Learning Package: 2 x Home visits (1-1.5 hrs in duration). Featuring clinical characterization and delivery of information using Structured Educational Visiting techniques via a trained allied health professionals at 1-2 and 7-8 weeks after enrollment. Main education principle will be to encourage the patient to become a participant in their AF specific health care rather than a passive 'passenger'. The intervention will include printed educational material, a personal action plan, and access to advice via an emergency phone line. The action plan will be completed in collaboration with the patient's GP/cardiologist.
Sponsors
University of Adelaide
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Blinded (masking used) (Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
30 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Admitted and non-admitted patients presenting to the ED with a primary reason of atrial fibrillation.
Exclusion criteria
Age < 30 years; Inability to provide informed consent; Home address outside hospital catchment area; Absence of ECG documentation of AF during index admission; Patients with a terminal malignancy; Patients with end stage heart failure (NYHA class IV or LVEF < 20%); Cardiac surgery < 2 months prior to index admission; Documented thyrotoxicosis or pneumonia;
Outcome results
None listed