Atrial Fibrillation Health Literacy and Information Technology Trial

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common, morbid condition with increasing prevalence. Poor health-related quality of life is common in AF. Patients experience debilitating symptoms and challenging adherence to long-term (possibly lifelong) anticoagulation. The increased risks of stroke, heart failure and mortality associated with AF persist even with optimal treatment. Morbidity in AF is further exacerbated by social factors. Limited health literacy carries challenges of learning a specialized terminology and navigating specialized treatments. In multiple cardiovascular diseases, self-care has demonstrated improvement in self-efficacy, health-related quality of life, symptom burden, and health care utilization - essential components of patient success with AF. Selfcare can provide the critical skills to navigate a challenging chronic disease and improve patient-centered outcomes. Delivery of self-care as a mobile health intervention can complement standard care with a longitudinal intervention to improve patient-centered strategies for AF. While self-care interventions for AF have focused foremost on self-monitoring of anticoagulation,self-care has demonstrated its potential to meet the "triple aim" of improved patient experience, reduced health care utilization, and lower costs.