Aiding Atrial Fibrillation Detection in Primary Care

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Aiding Atrial Fibrillation Detection in Primary Care: a feasibility study of the acceptability, uptake and cost of opportunistic screening.

• IRAS ID

  187069

• Contact name

  Caroline Watkins

• Contact email

  clwatkins@uclan.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  University of Central Lancashire

• Duration of Study in the UK

  0 years, 3 months, 30 days

• Research summary

  Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an irregular heartbeat and is a risk factor for stroke. The condition affects about 1% of the general population but is more common in older people, affecting about 5% of those aged over 65. The risk of stroke in AF can be reduced with anticoagulation medication. AF itself often has no symptoms, however, and up to 8% of all strokes occur in people with previously undiagnosed AF. If we can improve the identification of AF in the population, we may be able to prevent strokes. Recently, new technologies have been developed to enable opportunistic screening for AF in primary care settings such as general practice. One such device, the MyDiagnostick, can reliably detect AF or rule it out in a simple 60 second test. If the test indicates a potential problem, further assessment and treatment is planned.
  As this is a new technology, we need to check that it is useful, acceptable and cost effective to use it routinely in primary care with people aged over 65. The aim of our study is to evaluate the introduction of opportunistic screening for atrial fibrillation in general practice, pharmacy, and care home settings. To do this, we will monitor uptake and outcomes of the screening over a three-month period in 5 general practices, 5 pharmacies, and 16 care homes. We will evaluate patient feedback about the system via analysis of structured anonymous questionnaires. We will interview health care staff (practice nurses, health care assistants, pharmacy staff, and community nurses) about their experiences of using the system. At the end of the project, we will summarise the findings and present them at a workshop to which all participants will be invited. We will use the findings to help roll out the screening across East Lancashire.

• REC name

  Yorkshire & The Humber - Bradford Leeds Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  16/YH/0146

• Date of REC Opinion

  25 Apr 2016

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion