Patients' preferences for new versus old anticoagulants: a mixed-method vignette-based study.

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Geriatric Medicine
• Patient Experience

Background:

• Differences between warfarin and direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) impact treatment selection and management.
• Patient and clinician understanding of anticoagulant therapy is crucial for adherence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate patient preferences between warfarin and DOAC therapy.
• To explore patient satisfaction with current anticoagulant treatments.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-method study involving hospitalized older patients on anticoagulants.
• Vignette-based questionnaires and thematic analysis of interviews were employed.

Main Results:

• Most patients preferred their current anticoagulant (warfarin or DOAC) and were reluctant to switch.
• Warfarin users valued familiarity and INR monitoring; DOAC users cited previous bleeding events.
• DOAC users reported higher satisfaction scores than warfarin users.

Conclusions:

• Patient preference is strongly tied to their current anticoagulant regimen.
• Factors like monitoring frequency and past adverse events significantly influence anticoagulant choice.
• Individualized approaches are necessary, considering patient familiarity and experiences.