Setting Patient-Centered Priorities for Cardiovascular Disease in Central Appalachia: Engaging Stakeholder Experts to...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Services Research
• Cardiology

Background:

• Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) pose a significant health burden in the Central Appalachian Region (CAR).
• Previous research on patient-centered care in the CAR relied on focus groups, lacking collaborative stakeholder engagement.
• A novel approach was needed to involve patients, providers, and community stakeholders in identifying research priorities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify patient-centered research priorities for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) within the Central Appalachian Region (CAR).
• To establish a collaborative framework engaging diverse stakeholders in CVD research priority setting.

Main Methods:

• A modified Delphi approach was employed, utilizing questionnaires administered to 42 stakeholder experts across six states in the CAR.
• Data were collected between Fall 2018 and Summer 2019.
• Expert responses were analyzed to rank and derive research priorities, identifying specific gaps.

Main Results:

• Fifteen research priorities for CVD in the CAR were identified.
• Six of these priorities were specifically patient-centered.
• Key patient-centered priorities included reducing appointment wait times, enhancing patient education, empowering patients in self-care, improving access to quality providers and specialists, and promoting lifestyle changes.

Conclusions:

• The study successfully identified critical patient-centered research priorities for CVD in the CAR.
• The commitment of participants highlights the potential for community-based collaboration to mitigate the CVD burden.
• Future research should focus on implementing strategies addressing these identified patient-centered priorities.