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Smartphone apps launched for atrial fibrillation patients and their healthcare providers
Novel smartphone and tablet applications (apps) for atrial
fibrillation patients and healthcare professionals have been
launched by heart experts. The objectives and design of the
apps are outlined in an article published online recently in
EP Europace
, with a summary published in the
European
Heart Journal
.
Atrial fibrillation is the most common heart rhythm disorder
and significantly increases the risk of stroke and death. One in
four middle-aged adults in Europe and the US will develop
atrial fibrillation, and the incidence and prevalence are rising.
‘Around two-thirds of people in Europe and the US have
a mobile device and use it as their main way of accessing
online information,’ said lead author Dr Dipak Kotecha, a
clinician scientist in cardiovascular medicine at the Institute
of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, UK.
‘This presents a big opportunity to improve self-management
and shared decision making in atrial fibrillation.’
The My AF app and AF Manager app were designed
by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Guidelines
Task Force on Atrial Fibrillation and the CATCH ME
consortium, of which the ESC is a partner. The apps were
developed over the last two years in tandem with the writing
of the 2016 ESC guidelines on atrial fibrillation. Both apps
are freely available for Android and iOS devices through the
Google Play, and Apple stores.
My AF is for patients with atrial fibrillation. It provides
information about the condition, the risk of stroke, atrial
fibrillation treatments, and tips on improving lifestyle.
Patients can record symptoms and quality of life in a diary
which can be shared with a nominated health professional
before each consultation to maximise face-to-face time.
Developed in collaboration with patients and patient
support groups, My AF provides high-quality information in
a simple format that is suitable for adults of all ages. Work is
underway to translate the app into several languages.
Dr Kotecha said: ‘The app aims to encourage active
patient involvement in the management of their condition.
There is evidence that patient education can improve self-
care, adherence to therapy, and long-term outcomes.’
AF Manager is for doctors, nurses and other healthcare
professionals. It is the first app of its kind to be submitted
for CE certification and is in the final stages of approval.
AF Manager imports information shared by the patient and
allows the healthcare professional to amend details and enter
other medical information, such as electrocardiogram or
echocardiography data. The Treatment Manager tool within
the app then suggests individualised treatment options based
on ESC guidelines. After a consultation, the notes, treatment
decisions and medication dosages can be entered and then
shared with the patient.
‘Many studies have shown that when clinicians follow
guideline recommendations, patients have better outcomes,’”
said Dr Kotecha. ‘All of the decision aids in AF Manager
are based on ESC guidelines so we hope this will encourage
guideline implementation. Patients will have the option to
anonymously donate their data, which will enable us to assess
the guideline adherence rate.’
The apps are linked to allow transfer of data between
patients and healthcare professionals via a secure server at
the University of Birmingham, UK. Patients control who
can view and edit their data. When data sharing is enabled,
updates are synced on both apps. All shared information is
encrypted and password protected.
Dr Kotecha said: ‘We know that effective management of
atrial fibrillation is suited to shared decision making and we
have created the apps in the hope of facilitating this process.
Sharing information should save clinicians time and enable
them to devote consultations to choosing the best treatments.’
He concluded: ‘The dynamic nature of this technology
will allow us to modify and update the features and content
to reflect feedback from users, as well as future versions of
the ESC atrial fibrillation guidelines.’
Source:
European Society of Cardiology Press Office