Older Adults at Risk for Atrial Fibrillation Lack Knowledge and Confidence to Seek Treatment for Signs and Symptoms:

SAGE Open Nursing

Pamela J.McCabe¹ 

关键词: atrial fibrillation;    early detection;    treatment-seeking;    knowledge;    patient education;   

DOI  :  10.1177/2377960817720324

学科分类：医学（综合）

来源: Sage Journals

【 摘 要 】

Early detection of atrial fibrillation (AF) is crucial for averting AF-related stroke and heart failure, but treatment is delayed when AF is not recognized. The critical need for early detection and treatment requires education to promote AF awareness. Knowledge deficits, attitudes, and beliefs about AF that should be addressed to improve awareness and reduce treatment-seeking delay in older adults at risk for developing AF have not been well documented. The purpose of this study was to describe knowledge, treatment-seeking attitudes, and beliefs about AF in adults ≥65 years old and identify demographic characteristics associated with knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs. Patients with no history of AF recruited from an academic medical center were interviewed using the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Beliefs about Atrial Fibrillation Survey. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and independent t tests. Participants (N = 180) were 63% male with a mean age of 73.7 ± 6.0 years, and 52% held ≥ 4-year colle...

【 授权许可】

CC BY