Abstract
Background: Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a common arrhythmia associated with elevated risks of stroke and mortality. Oral anticoagulants (OACs) are prescribed to reduce stroke risk, yet many patients lack sufficient understanding of their use. Effective educational strategies are crucial for enhancing medication safety and minimizing complications.
Purpose: This study evaluated the effectiveness of a multifaceted, interactive education program for patients with AFib taking OACs. Grounded in the Health Belief Model, the intervention was delivered via a mobile application (App). Its effectiveness was compared to a control group receiving a printed brochure. Outcomes included patient knowledge, health beliefs, and medication satisfaction.
Method: A randomized controlled trial was conducted at cardiology clinics in two medical centers. Patients diagnosed with AFib and prescribed OACs were recruited and randomly assigned to experimental or control groups. Clinicians and participants were blinded to group assignments. Instruments included researcher-developed questionnaires for OAC knowledge and health beliefs, as well as the Duke Anticoagulant Satisfaction Scale. Assessments were conducted at baseline and three months post-intervention, except for OAC knowledge, which was assessed monthly. The experimental group received one-on-one coaching, App-based education, monthly follow-up calls, and a medication card. The control group received only a brochure and a medication card. Effectiveness was analyzed using Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) and effect size (ES).
Results: Of 164 enrolled participants (mean age 65.71 ± 9.84 years), 159 completed posttests (experimental: 79; control: 80). The experimental group showed significantly higher posttest scores in OAC knowledge (p< 0.001; ES=1.084–1.114), particularly regarding diet-medication interactions (ES=0.811–1.067). Health belief scores also improved more in the experimental group (p< 0.001; ES=0.569), with notable effectiveness in self-efficacy (ES=0.607). No significant improvement was observed in OACs' satisfaction (p=0.91; ES=–0.312).
Conclusion: A theory-based, multifaceted eHealth education program effectively improved knowledge of OAC and health beliefs. This scalable model may support clinical efforts to enhance understanding and engagement in OAC therapy, especially in addressing complex issues related to the use of OACs, as well as for patients with AFib, who are often of a higher average age.
Notes
References:
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3. Desteghe, L., Delesie, M., Knaepen, L., Önder, R., Verbeeck, J., Dendale, P., Phlips, T., Haemers, P., Saenen, J., Ector, J., Vijgen, J., & Heidbuchel, H. (2024). Effect of targeted education of patients with atrial fibrillation on unplanned cardiovascular outcomes: Results of the multicentre randomized AF-EduCare trial. Europace : European Pacing, Arrhythmias, andCardiac Electrophysiology :Journal of the Working Groups on Cardiac Pacing, Arrhythmias, and Cardiac Cellular Electrophysiology of the European Society of Cardiology, 27(1), euae211. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/euae211
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Sigma Membership
Lambda Beta at-Large
Type
Poster
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Randomized Controlled Trial
Research Approach
Quantitative Research
Keywords:
Primary Care, Implementation Science, Long-Term Care, Atrial Fibrillation, Atrial Fibrillation--Drug Therapy, AFIB, Anticoagulants, Patient Education
Recommended Citation
Tsai, Yu-Hsia; Lou, Meei-Fang; Kuo, Chi-Tai; Chang, Her-Kun; Chien, Kuo-Liong; Gau, Bih-Shya; and See, Lai-Chu, "Effectiveness of a Multifaceted Educational Program for Patients Receiving Oral Anticoagulants" (2026). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 35.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2026/posters_2026/35
Conference Name
37th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Conference Year
2026
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2026-07-27
Effectiveness of a Multifaceted Educational Program for Patients Receiving Oral Anticoagulants
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Background: Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a common arrhythmia associated with elevated risks of stroke and mortality. Oral anticoagulants (OACs) are prescribed to reduce stroke risk, yet many patients lack sufficient understanding of their use. Effective educational strategies are crucial for enhancing medication safety and minimizing complications.
Purpose: This study evaluated the effectiveness of a multifaceted, interactive education program for patients with AFib taking OACs. Grounded in the Health Belief Model, the intervention was delivered via a mobile application (App). Its effectiveness was compared to a control group receiving a printed brochure. Outcomes included patient knowledge, health beliefs, and medication satisfaction.
Method: A randomized controlled trial was conducted at cardiology clinics in two medical centers. Patients diagnosed with AFib and prescribed OACs were recruited and randomly assigned to experimental or control groups. Clinicians and participants were blinded to group assignments. Instruments included researcher-developed questionnaires for OAC knowledge and health beliefs, as well as the Duke Anticoagulant Satisfaction Scale. Assessments were conducted at baseline and three months post-intervention, except for OAC knowledge, which was assessed monthly. The experimental group received one-on-one coaching, App-based education, monthly follow-up calls, and a medication card. The control group received only a brochure and a medication card. Effectiveness was analyzed using Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) and effect size (ES).
Results: Of 164 enrolled participants (mean age 65.71 ± 9.84 years), 159 completed posttests (experimental: 79; control: 80). The experimental group showed significantly higher posttest scores in OAC knowledge (p< 0.001; ES=1.084–1.114), particularly regarding diet-medication interactions (ES=0.811–1.067). Health belief scores also improved more in the experimental group (p< 0.001; ES=0.569), with notable effectiveness in self-efficacy (ES=0.607). No significant improvement was observed in OACs' satisfaction (p=0.91; ES=–0.312).
Conclusion: A theory-based, multifaceted eHealth education program effectively improved knowledge of OAC and health beliefs. This scalable model may support clinical efforts to enhance understanding and engagement in OAC therapy, especially in addressing complex issues related to the use of OACs, as well as for patients with AFib, who are often of a higher average age.
Description
This study evaluated a Health Belief Model-based, multifaceted eHealth education program for patients with atrial fibrillation (AFib) who are on oral anticoagulants. Compared to a paper brochure, the multidimensional interactive program significantly improved patients' knowledge of anticoagulation and their health beliefs. The program is well-suited for addressing complex issues related to the use of anticoagulants, as well as for patients with AFib, who are often of a higher average age.