How do Dutch general practitioners detect and diagnose atrial fibrillation? Results of an online case vignette study
Abstract Background Detection and treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) are important given the serious health consequences. AF may be silent or paroxysmal and remain undetected. It is unclear whether general practitioners (GPs) have appropriate equipment and optimally utilise it to detect AF. This...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2019-12-01
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| Series: | BMC Family Practice |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-019-1064-y |
| _version_ | 1811329259173576704 |
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| author | N. Verbiest - van Gurp D. van Mil H. A. M. van Kesteren J. A. Knottnerus H. E. J. H. Stoffers |
| author_facet | N. Verbiest - van Gurp D. van Mil H. A. M. van Kesteren J. A. Knottnerus H. E. J. H. Stoffers |
| author_sort | N. Verbiest - van Gurp |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Detection and treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) are important given the serious health consequences. AF may be silent or paroxysmal and remain undetected. It is unclear whether general practitioners (GPs) have appropriate equipment and optimally utilise it to detect AF. This case vignette study aimed to describe current practice and to explore possible improvements to optimise AF detection. Methods Between June and July 2017, we performed an online case vignette study among Dutch GPs. We aimed at obtaining at least 75 responses to the questionnaire. We collected demographics and asked GPs’ opinion on their knowledge and experience in diagnosing AF. GPs could indicate which diagnostic tools they have for AF. In six case vignettes with varying symptom frequency and physical signs, they could make diagnostic choices. The last questions covered screening and actions after diagnosing AF. We compared the answers to the Dutch guideline for GPs on AF. Results Seventy-six GPs completed the questionnaire. Seventy-four GPs (97%) thought they have enough knowledge and 72 (95%) enough experience to diagnose AF. Seventy-four GPs (97%) could order or perform ECGs without the interference of a cardiologist. In case of frequent symptoms of AF, 36–40% would choose short-term (i.e. 24–48 h) and 11–19% long-term (i.e. 7 days, 14 days or 1 month) monitoring. In case of non-frequent symptoms, 29–31% would choose short-term and 21–30% long-term monitoring. If opportunistic screening in primary care proves to be effective, 83% (58/70) will support it. Conclusions Responding GPs report to have adequate equipment, knowledge, and experience to detect and diagnose AF. Almost all participants can order ECGs. Reported monitoring duration was shorter than recommended by the guideline. AF detection could improve by increasing the monitoring duration. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T15:40:42Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4f277a8915a24409b60544696bc29c13 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2296 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T15:40:42Z |
| publishDate | 2019-12-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Family Practice |
| spelling | doaj.art-4f277a8915a24409b60544696bc29c132022-12-22T02:41:09ZengBMCBMC Family Practice1471-22962019-12-012011710.1186/s12875-019-1064-yHow do Dutch general practitioners detect and diagnose atrial fibrillation? Results of an online case vignette studyN. Verbiest - van Gurp0D. van Mil1H. A. M. van Kesteren2J. A. Knottnerus3H. E. J. H. Stoffers4Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Department of Family Medicine, Maastricht UniversityCare and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Department of Family Medicine, Maastricht UniversityDepartment of Cardiology, Admiraal de Ruyter ZiekenhuisCare and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Department of Family Medicine, Maastricht UniversityCare and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Department of Family Medicine, Maastricht UniversityAbstract Background Detection and treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) are important given the serious health consequences. AF may be silent or paroxysmal and remain undetected. It is unclear whether general practitioners (GPs) have appropriate equipment and optimally utilise it to detect AF. This case vignette study aimed to describe current practice and to explore possible improvements to optimise AF detection. Methods Between June and July 2017, we performed an online case vignette study among Dutch GPs. We aimed at obtaining at least 75 responses to the questionnaire. We collected demographics and asked GPs’ opinion on their knowledge and experience in diagnosing AF. GPs could indicate which diagnostic tools they have for AF. In six case vignettes with varying symptom frequency and physical signs, they could make diagnostic choices. The last questions covered screening and actions after diagnosing AF. We compared the answers to the Dutch guideline for GPs on AF. Results Seventy-six GPs completed the questionnaire. Seventy-four GPs (97%) thought they have enough knowledge and 72 (95%) enough experience to diagnose AF. Seventy-four GPs (97%) could order or perform ECGs without the interference of a cardiologist. In case of frequent symptoms of AF, 36–40% would choose short-term (i.e. 24–48 h) and 11–19% long-term (i.e. 7 days, 14 days or 1 month) monitoring. In case of non-frequent symptoms, 29–31% would choose short-term and 21–30% long-term monitoring. If opportunistic screening in primary care proves to be effective, 83% (58/70) will support it. Conclusions Responding GPs report to have adequate equipment, knowledge, and experience to detect and diagnose AF. Almost all participants can order ECGs. Reported monitoring duration was shorter than recommended by the guideline. AF detection could improve by increasing the monitoring duration.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-019-1064-yAtrial fibrillationDiagnosisElectrocardiographyElectrocardiographyAmbulatoryHealth care surveys |
| spellingShingle | N. Verbiest - van Gurp D. van Mil H. A. M. van Kesteren J. A. Knottnerus H. E. J. H. Stoffers How do Dutch general practitioners detect and diagnose atrial fibrillation? Results of an online case vignette study BMC Family Practice Atrial fibrillation Diagnosis Electrocardiography Electrocardiography Ambulatory Health care surveys |
| title | How do Dutch general practitioners detect and diagnose atrial fibrillation? Results of an online case vignette study |
| title_full | How do Dutch general practitioners detect and diagnose atrial fibrillation? Results of an online case vignette study |
| title_fullStr | How do Dutch general practitioners detect and diagnose atrial fibrillation? Results of an online case vignette study |
| title_full_unstemmed | How do Dutch general practitioners detect and diagnose atrial fibrillation? Results of an online case vignette study |
| title_short | How do Dutch general practitioners detect and diagnose atrial fibrillation? Results of an online case vignette study |
| title_sort | how do dutch general practitioners detect and diagnose atrial fibrillation results of an online case vignette study |
| topic | Atrial fibrillation Diagnosis Electrocardiography Electrocardiography Ambulatory Health care surveys |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-019-1064-y |
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