View article

Objective: To identify the views of health professionals, patients and their carers on strategies to improve the use and management of warfarin in older patients with atrial fibrillation.

Design: Qualitative study based on analysis of group interviews.

Setting: A major metropolitan teaching hospital, from 1 March to 30 April 2003.

Participants: 14 patients (≥ 65 years) with established atrial fibrillation and taking warfarin, three carers, 12 specialists, eight general practitioners, six community pharmacists, nine hospital pharmacists, and 11 nurses volunteered in response to flyers promoting the study.

Results: Suggested strategies to improve warfarin management targeted support services for GPs and patients. Hospital‐based clinicians felt that dissemination of trial evidence to GPs to support treatment recommendations is required, and that GPs need to enlist allied health professionals in the management of patients …