Impact of stated barriers on proposed warfarin prescription for atrial fibrillation: a survey of Canadian physicians.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common cardiac arrhythmia, and leading cause of ischemic stroke. Despite proven effectiveness, warfarin remains an under-used treatment in atrial fibrillation patients. We sought to study, across three physician specialties, a range of factors that have been argued to have a disproportionate effect on treatment decisions.

Methods

Cross-sectional survey of Canadian Family Doctors (FD: n = 500), Geriatricians (G: n = 149), and Internal Medicine specialists (IMS: n = 500). Of these, 1032 physicians were contactable, and 335 completed and usable responses were received. Survey questions and clinical vignettes asked about the frequency with which they see patients with atrial fibrillation, treatment practices, and barriers to the prescript

SUBMITTER: Nicholls SG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4144316 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature