Actioning atrial fibrillation identified by ambulance services in England: a qualitative exploration.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To explore the acceptability and feasibility of detection of atrial fibrillation (AF) by emergency medical services (EMS) and identify potential barriers and facilitators to implementing a formal pathway to facilitate follow-up in primary care, which could reduce the risk of AF-related stroke.

Design

Qualitative study using focus groups and one-to-one interviews guided by a semistructured topic guide.

Setting

North East England.

Participants

Focus groups with 18 members of the public and one-to-one online interviews with 11 healthcare and service providers (six paramedics and five experts representing cardiology, general practice (GP), public health, research, policy and commissioning).

Results

All participant groups were supportive of a role

SUBMITTER: Wilkinson C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11381708 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature