Digital secondary prevention follow-up after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) at home: what are the users perspectives?

Abstract

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Private hospital(s). Main funding source(s): LHL Hospital Gardermoen Bergesen Foundation Digital Secondary Prevention Follow-up After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) at Home: What are the Users Perspectives? Background Secondary prevention for patients with established CHD is the mainstay of cardiovascular rehabilitation, but is not accessible to all eligible patients. Digital delivery offers a way to widen participation in secondary prevention to PCI patients, but little is known about users’ preferences. Purpose The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore service users, carers and health professionals views about potential challenges experienced in secondary prevention after PCI and preferences for support to inform the development of a digital home program. Methods A series of three focus group interviews were conducted in a broad user panel with former PCI patients (4), next-of-kin (1) and interdisciplinary health care professionals (4) between March 2017 and September 2019. Data was audiotaped, transcribed verbatim and analysed using content analysis. Results Three main themes and sub-themes on challenges and preferences for digital follow-up were identified: (1) Technology: feasibility including safety, integration with known platforms, functionality, and user-friendly navigation were major assets, as well as the capability of monitoring medication adherence, smoking cessation and physical activity. (2) Communication: interactive, direct, clear, supportive, encouraging, visualizing, humorous, using virtual meeting rooms, as well as including direct responses on patients’ self-motivation and achieved goals and (3) Health information: basic step-by-step facts and questions-and-answers (FAQ), being practical, visual, and including side effects of medications and health services navigation. Conclusion User perspectives from former patients, next-of-kin and health care professionals reveal a preference for digital secondary prevention which offers functionality, communication, and health information during follow-up at home after a PCI.