Engagement of atrial fibrillation patients with the AF-EduApp, a new mobile application to support AF management.

ABSTRACT

Introduction: A multidisciplinary approach is needed for the management of atrial fibrillation (AF) in which the patient has a central role. Smart devices create opportunities to improve AF management. This paper aimed to evaluate the in-house developed AF-EduApp application on its usability, satisfaction, and communication effectiveness with the care team. Methods: During a multicenter, prospective randomized controlled trial, 153 AF patients were included in the AF-EduApp study, with a minimum follow-up of 12 months and a maximum follow-up of 15 months if taking oral anticoagulation (OAC). The AF-EduApp contains six main modules Questionnaires, Education, Measurement data entry, Medication overview with reminders, Appointments, and Communication with the care team. The App focuses on four main goals (1) to improve AF knowledge, (2) to increase self-care capabilities, (3) electronic monitoring to improve therapy adherence to OAC, and (4) communication with the care team. Patients unable to use the AF-EduApp were assigned to a no-App control group (n = 41) without intervention comparable to the standard care group (SC, n = 346) of the AF-EduCare study. Results: A total of 152 patients effectively used the App during a mean follow-up of 386.8 ± 108. 1 days (one included patient could not install the application due to an iPhone from the United States). They opened the application on average on 130.1 ± 144.7 days. Of the 109 patients still in follow-up after 12 months (i.e. patients who did not withdraw and on OAC), 90 patients (82.6%) actively used the application at least one day in the next 41 days. The Measurement module was the most used, with a median of used days over the total available days of 6.4%. A total of 75 App patients (49.3%) asked questions, mostly clinical-related questions (e.g. medication use, or actionability on clinical entered parameters). A mean score of 8.1 ± 1.7 about the "perceived quality of follow-up in the past year" was given by the App ITT patients, compared to a score of 7.7 ± 2.0 by the SC group (P = .072). Patients who used the App were more attracted to future follow-up with an application compared to patients who would be capable of using the application of the SC group (31.6% vs. 12.5%; P < .001). Conclusion: This study showed a positive attitude towards using a mobile application, with AF patients using the application one-third of the available days. Patients used the App most for entering measured parameters, and to contact the care team.