An American Heart Association survey
found that patients who used the association's online heart disease
education program were more aware of treatment options than Internet-using
patients who did not use the association's program.
Those who used the free, patient-friendly Heart Profilers(R) -- an
Internet-based education program that guides people through treatment
options for various conditions-were also more likely to ask their doctors
about their care. These survey results were released in May 2007 and
presented at the American Heart Association's 8th Scientific Forum on
Quality of Care and Outcomes Research in Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke.
The survey found that patients who used Heart Profilers were 1.58 times
more likely than non-users to be aware of four or more atrial fibrillation
treatments. And they were 1.56 times more likely to ask their doctors about
medications or treatments that they had heard about outside the doctor's
office.
"Patient education and empowerment are key pathways in reducing
complications of cardiovascular disease," said Ileana Pina, M.D., professor
of medicine at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland and senior
author of the study. "The Heart Profilers tool empowers patients to take
control and manage their condition by providing personalized information in
lay language so they have a complete picture of their condition and
treatments relevant to their diagnosis profile."
Heart Profilers users can complete a questionnaire to receive a free,
confidential, personalized treatment options report. Users receive
information based on peer-reviewed, scientifically based literature,
regarding success rates of various treatment options, potential medication
side effects and questions to ask their healthcare providers. Patients also
have access to medical journal abstracts and research studies written in an
easy-to-understand format.
"This format takes the patient to accurate and up-to-date information,"
Pina said. "Other Internet sites may be replete with misinformation. It may
be difficult for the average patient to separate accurate education from
false information. Their trust in the American Heart Association allows
them to be confident about the education they receive and access for
themselves."
The survey was designed to examine the association between use of the
Heart Profilers program and patient knowledge and behavior. Patients with
coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation, heart failure, high
cholesterol or high blood pressure who registered to use Heart Profilers
were invited to answer an Internet questionnaire. Their responses were
compared with a randomly selected control group who had not used Heart
Profilers.
Researchers divided respondents into three groups: (1) those who
completed the Heart Profiler questionnaire (users), (2) those who
registered but did not complete it (registrants) and (3) a sample of
non-users with one of the five heart conditions who were identified via a
nationally representative telephone survey (controls). There were 1,039
users, 389 registrants and 1,564 controls.
Consistent with their greater understanding of medications, heart
failure and atrial fibrillation patients reported a greater tendency to use
their medications as prescribed by their doctor, the researchers said.
"It's beneficial for patients to be educated in this way," Pina said.
"When patients understand the different treatment options available to
them, they can become more active participants in their healthcare decision
making by asking appropriate questions and understanding what their doctor
is telling them."
"In essence, when there is a two-way dialogue between patient and
doctor (commonly referred to as 'shared decision making'), there is a
greater chance that patients believe treatment decisions made with the
doctor are the best for them personally. When patients believe the
treatment is the right one, they will be more likely to stick with it," she
added.
"This is the same logic for having better knowledge about medications
-- if you believe in the necessity and importance of the medication, you
will be more likely to take it as prescribed," Pina said.
"Physicians are increasingly expected to provide education for patients
with chronic cardiovascular diseases. Heart Profilers can serve as a
powerful adjunct for physicians to recommend to their patients as well,"
Pi?±a said.
More than 260,000 people have used the Heart Profilers tool since it
launched in 2002, reflecting a growing trend of Americans turning to the
Internet for healthcare research and advice. In fact, according to a recent
survey conducted by Medical Broadcasting Company and Nielsen/NetRatings,
two out of three Americans turn to the Internet before their doctor visits
to research their condition and prepare questions. After their visits,
these patients typically do more Internet research to validate what their
doctor told them and find answers to questions they didn't ask.
The Heart Profilers tool can be accessed at
americanheart/heartprofilers.
About the American Heart Association
Founded in 1924, the American Heart Association today is the nation's
oldest and largest voluntary health organization dedicated to reducing
disability and death from cardiovascular diseases and stroke. These
diseases, America's No. 1 and No. 3 killers, claim about 870,000 lives a
year. In fiscal year 2005-06 the association invested over $543 million in
research, professional and public education, advocacy and community service
programs to help all Americans live longer, healthier lives.
About Thomson Healthcare
Thomson Healthcare, co-developer of the Heart Profilers, is the leading
provider of decision support solutions that help organizations across the
healthcare industry improve clinical and business performance. Thomson
Healthcare products and services help clinicians, hospitals, employers,
health plans, government agencies, and pharmaceutical companies manage the
cost and improve the quality of health care. Thomson Healthcare is a part
of The Thomson Corporation.
American Heart Association
americanheart
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