What is the importance of patient education in AF patients on antithrombotic prophylaxis with an NOAC?
Patient education is essential to provide patients with sufficient information to enable them to make an informed decision about whether they wish to take OAC, and if they do, which OAC they would prefer. Assessment of patient's knowledge (using the AF Knowledge or Jessa Atrial Fibrillation Knowledge), as well as their values and preferences, could be undertaken to ascertain gaps to be filled; this may lead to better decision-making and improved adherence and persistence. Patient knowledge and understanding of the stroke risk associated with AF and the benefit of OAC to prevent stroke are crucial to patient acceptance of anticoagulants, as well as adherence, and life-long persistence (in most cases), to OAC.