Journal Article

Identifying and understanding the care pathway of patients with atrial fibrillation in Brazil and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic: A mixed-methods study

Jolly, Kate, Thomas, G. Neil, Lotufo, Paulo A., Manaseki-Holland, Semira, Greenfield, Sheila, Varella, Ana C., Gooden, Tiffany E., Bensenor, Isabela M., Lip, Gregory Y. H., Olmos, Rodrigo D., Goulart, Alessandra C.

2023

Overview

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a major risk factor for stroke. To enable improvements to AF diagnosis and follow-up care, understanding current patient pathways and barriers to optimal care are essential. We investigated the patient care pathways and their drivers, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patient pathways in a middle-income country setting, Brazil. This mixed-methods study in São Paulo, included adults ([greater than or equal to]18y) with AF from 13 primary/secondary healthcare facilities. Surveys using baseline, follow-up (administered [greater than or equal to]two months after baseline) and COVID-19 questionnaires (quantitative), and three focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted. Minimum sample size for the quantitative component was 236 and we aimed to reach saturation with at least three FGDs for the qualitative component. Descriptive statistics were used for quantitative data and a content analysis was used for qualitative data to identify themes related to AF diagnosis and follow-up care. 267 participants completed the baseline questionnaire: 25% were diagnosed in primary care, 65% in an emergency or inpatient department. At follow-up (n = 259), 31% visited more than one facility for AF care, and 7% had no follow-up. Intervals between international normalised ratio (INR) tests were increased during the pandemic, and the number of healthcare visits and availability of medication were reduced. Seventeen patients participated in three FGDs and revealed that AF diagnosis often occurred following a medical emergency and patients often delay care-seeking due to misconceptions about AF symptoms. Long waiting times, doctor/patient interactions and health system factors, such as doctor availability and the referral system, influence where participants visited for follow-up care. Lack of public awareness and underdeveloped primary healthcare lead to delayed diagnosis, which impacts clinical outcomes and excess patient and healthcare system costs. Health system, care-provider, and pandemic factors disrupt timely and effective continuity of care.

• Publisher: Public Library of Science,Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subject: Anticoagulants / Atrial fibrillation / Availability / Cardiac arrhythmia / Cardiology / Care and treatment / Content analysis / COVID-19 / Data collection / Diagnosis / Earth Sciences / Electrocardiography / Emergency medical services / Fibrillation / Health care / Health care facilities / Hospitals / Medical care, Cost of / Medical research / Medicine and Health Sciences / Medicine, Experimental / Methods / Mixed methods research / Pandemics / Patient outcomes / Patients / People and places / Physicians / Primary care / Public awareness / Qualitative analysis / Questionnaires / Risk factors / Social Sciences / Statistical analysis / Stroke / Stroke (Disease)