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Published on: August 1, 2019
Use of health services and perceived need for information and follow-up after percutaneous coronary intervention
Nina Hjertvikrem1, Gunhild Brørs2, Irene Instenes3,4
1Department of Heart Disease, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway. Nina.hjertvikrem@helse-bergen.no.
Insights
Patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) desire consistent follow-up care and information, regardless of country. Early intervention is crucial as perceived needs decrease over time.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Health Services Research
- Patient Adherence
Background:
- Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) management requires ongoing patient support.
- Post-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) follow-up strategies vary internationally.
- Optimizing patient adherence to lifestyle changes and treatment is essential for risk factor control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare self-reported health service utilization after PCI in Norway and Denmark.
- To identify patient preferences for follow-up care and information post-PCI.
- To understand the impact of different national follow-up practices on patient-reported outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study comparing 3417 patients in Norway and Denmark.
- Analysis of self-reported health service use.
- Assessment of patient-reported preferences for follow-up and information.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in health service utilization were observed between Denmark and Norway.
- Danish patients reported higher use of outpatient clinics and fitness centers post-PCI.
- Norwegian patients reported more frequent general practitioner visits and rehospitalizations; some reported no follow-up.
- Patients in both countries identified similar types of follow-up and information as important.
- Perceived need for follow-up and information diminished over time.
Conclusions:
- Patient preferences for follow-up care and information after PCI are consistent across different healthcare systems.
- Healthcare systems should align with patient-identified needs for effective post-PCI management.
- Early and timely follow-up is recommended to capitalize on patient motivation and address declining perceived needs.
Objective:
Few patients achieve full control of their coronary artery disease (CAD) risk factors. Follow-up, such as cardiac rehabilitation, is important to increase adherence to lifestyle changes and treatment, to improve the patient's risk profile, and to treat established complications of CAD clinical events. However, the type of follow-up patients receive varies. Therefore, the aim of this research note was to describe and compare patients' self-reported use of health services, the type of follow-up patients reported to prefer, and the type of information patients reported to be important, in two countries with different follow-up practices after PCI.
Results:
We included 3417 patients in Norway and Denmark, countries with different follow-up strategies after PCI. The results showed large differences between the countries regarding health services used. In Denmark the most frequently used health services were consultations at outpatient clinics followed by visits to the general practitioner and visits to the fitness centre, whereas in Norway visits to the general practitioner were most common, followed by rehospitalisation and no follow-up used. However, patients found the same type of follow-up and information important in both countries. Patients' perceived need for follow-up and information decreased over time, suggesting a need for early follow-up when the patients are motivated.
Trial Registration:
NCT03810612 (18/01/2019).
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