Development and Feasibility of a Primary Care Provider Training Intervention to Improve Atrial Fibrillation Management.

The disparities in atrial fibrillation (AF) care are partially attributed to inadequate access to providers with specialized training in AF. Primary care providers (PCPs) are often the sole providers of AF care in under-resourced regions. As such, we sought to create a virtual education intervention for PCPs and to evaluate its impact on the use of stroke risk reduction strategies in patients with AF. A multidisciplinary team mentored PCPs on AF management over 6 months using a virtual case-based training format. Surveys of participant knowledge and confidence in AF care were compared before and after the intervention. Hierarchical logistic regression modeling was used to evaluate change in oral anticoagulation (OAC) therapy in the patients seen by participants before or after training. Of 41 participants trained, 49% worked in family medicine, 41% internal medicine, and 10% general cardiology. Participants attended a mean of 14 1-hour sessions. Overall, the appropriate use of OAC (for CHA2DS2-VASc score ≥1 man, ≥2 women) increased from 37% to 46% (p <0.001) comparing the patients seen before (n = 1,739) versus after (n = 610) intervention. The factors independently associated with appropriate OAC use included participant training (odds ratio [OR] 1.4, p = 0.002) and participant competence in AF management. The factors associated with decreased OAC use included patient age (OR 0.8 per 10 year, p = 0.008) and nonwhite race (OR 0.7, p = 0.028). Provider knowledge and confidence in AF care improved (p <0.001). In conclusion, we show that a virtual PCP training intervention improves the use of stroke risk reduction therapy in outpatients with AF and could be a widely scalable intervention to improve AF care in under-resourced communities.

Development and Feasibility of a Primary Care Provider Training Intervention to Improve Atrial Fibrillation Management.

Background: Disparities in atrial fibrillation (AF) care are partially attributed to inadequate access to providers with specialized training in AF. Primary care providers (PCPs) are often the sole providers of AF care in under-resourced regions. Objective: To create a virtual education intervention for PCPs and evaluate its impact on use of stroke risk reduction strategies in AF patients. Methods: A multi-disciplinary team mentored PCPs on AF management over 6 months using a virtual case-based training format. Surveys of participant knowledge and confidence in AF care were compared pre- and post-intervention. Hierarchical logistic regression modeling was used to evaluate change in stroke risk reduction therapies among patients seen by participants before or after training. Results: Of 41 participants trained, 49% worked in family medicine, 41% internal medicine, and 10% general cardiology. Participants attended a mean of 14 one-hour sessions. Overall, appropriate use of oral anticoagulation (OAC) therapy (CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc score ≥1 men, ≥2 women) increased from 37% to 46% (p<.001) comparing patients seen pre- (n=1739) to post- (n=610) intervention. Factors independently associated with appropriate OAC use included participant training (OR 1.4, p=.002) and participant competence in AF management (by survey). Factors associated with decreased OAC use included patient age (OR 0.8 per 10 years, p=.008), nonwhite race (OR 0.7, p=.028). Provider knowledge and confidence in AF care both improved (p<.001). Conclusions: A virtual case-based PCP training intervention improved use of stroke risk reduction therapy in outpatients with AF. This widely scalable intervention could improve AF care in under-resourced communities. CONDENSED ABSTRACT: A virtual educational model was developed for primary care providers to improve competency in AF care in their community. Following a 6-month training intervention, the rate of appropriate oral anticoagulation (OAC) therapy among patients cared for by participating providers increased from 37% to 46% (p<.001). Among participants, knowledge and confidence in AF care improved. These findings suggest a virtual AF training intervention can improve PCP competency in AF care. This widely scalable intervention could help improve AF care in under-resourced communities.

Patient and Partner Sexual Concerns During the First Year After an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator: A Secondary Analysis of the P+P Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Sexual concerns and changes in sexual activity are common among patients and their intimate partners after an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). AIMS: Our aims were to (i) describe patient and partner sexual activity and related concerns from the time of an initial ICD implant through 12-month follow-up and (ii) identify factors predictive of return to sexual activity and fears associated with sexual activity. METHODS: This secondary descriptive analysis was conducted with data from a randomized controlled trial (2009-2015) designed to compare 2 interventions for patients (Patient-Only) and for patients and their partners (Patient+Partner) after implant of an initial ICD. The sample included 105 patients and their intimate partners who reported sexual activity during the 24 months before ICD implant. OUTCOMES: The Sexual Concerns Inventory was used to assess sexual activity and related concerns. RESULTS: Study participants comprised 72% male and were of mean age 65.6 ± 10.6 years; partners comprised 64% female and were of mean age 63 ± 11.6 years. Sexual activity increased after ICD: 73% of patients reported no sexual intercourse during 2 months before study enrollment, whereas only 46% reported no sexual intercourse during the 2 months before 12-month follow-up. Reductions in sexual concerns were evident 1 month after implant, with continued reductions through 12 months (patient 6.48 ± 4.03 to 5.22 ± 3.38, P = .004; partner 6.93 ± 4.01 to 5.2 ± 3.56, P < .001). Patient physical health predicted sexual activity 3 months after implant placement (P = .04); general ICD concerns (P < .001) predicted patient ICD-related sexual fears at 3 months. At 12 months, baseline general ICD concerns (P < .02) predicted sexual fears. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: ICD patients and partners report low levels of sexual activity at the time of initial ICD implant, with reported increases in sexual activity over the 12-month recovery period: Sexual concerns were highest immediately after ICD implant. STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS: Notably, the major strengths of this study were the repeated measures and longitudinal study design; the main limitation of the study was the lack of a "usual care" control group. CONCLUSION: Sexual activity at the time of an initial ICD implant is low, and sexual concerns are most prominent for both patients and partners immediately after implant placement. Baseline physical health predicts subsequent sexual activity at 3 months, while general ICD-related worry predicts sexual fears at 3 and 12 months. Streur MM, Rosman LA, Sears SF, et al. Patient and Partner Sexual Concerns During the First Year After an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator: A Secondary Analysis of the P+P Randomized Clinical Trial. J Sex Med 2020;17:892-902.