Evaluating patient attitudes and barriers towards smart technology for cardiac monitoring: results from a prospective multicentre study

Abstract

ObjectivesRemote assessment of heart rate and rhythm using smart technology (ST) holds promise in screening and monitoring of atrial fibrillation (AF). However, patient engagement is paramount to the success of ST interventions.MethodsWe assessed the attitudes and potential barriers towards ST for arrhythmia monitoring in an elderly, multimorbidity cohort. Consecutive inpatients were recruited across three hospitals and administered a standardised survey regarding attitudes towards ST for arrhythmia detection.ResultsOf 363 participants (median age 68 years (IQR: 55–80 years), mean CHA2DS2VASC score 3±2), 68.9% were interested in ST for cardiac monitoring. Those with underlying AF (n=112) and younger (<65 years) patients were more likely to be interested in using ST for cardiac monitoring (p for both <0.001). Complexity (71.1%) of ST was identified as a major barrier to its adoption, particularly in older participants (p=0.02). While only 52% of participants trusted the accuracy of ST, over 90% would seek medical attention based on aberrant readings.ConclusionWe report a high level of interest among an older, high-risk patient cohort in using ST for cardiac monitoring. Despite a level of distrust in these devices, abnormal readings would still prompt the overwhelming majority of patients to seek medical attention. This highlights a need for physicians to validate the accuracy and clinical effectiveness of ST-derived physiological measurements, an area which remains unclear due to the paucity of trials.Trial registration numberACTRN: 12616991374459.

Telehealth Satisfaction in Patients Receiving Virtual Atrial Fibrillation Care: Quantitative Exploratory Study

“…Additionally, there is limited empirical evidence regarding attitudes toward technology among patients with AF. Koshy et al [ 14 ] assessed the attitudes of patients with arrhythmias (primarily AF or atrial flutter) toward self-monitoring mobile or wearable technology and found approximately 70% were interested in the technology but reported its complexity as a limiting factor, a finding that may reflect low self-efficacy. Similarly, a qualitative study of perceptions and attitudes of patients with AF toward e-tool self-care technology found that patients’ reluctance was related to unfamiliarity with the technology; lack of ownership of certain technology (smartphone and tablet); perceptions of e-tools being complicated, impractical, and difficult to learn; and literacy challenges.…”