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Patients' perceptions and experiences of the prevention of hospital-acquired thrombosis: a qualitative study.
- Source :
-
BMJ open [BMJ Open] 2016 Dec 13; Vol. 6 (12), pp. e013839. Date of Electronic Publication: 2016 Dec 13. - Publication Year :
- 2016
-
Abstract
- Objective: To examine patients' understanding of hospital-associated thrombosis, and their experiences of thromboprophylaxis.<br />Design: Qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with 31 patients requiring venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis following a recent hospital admission. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically using framework analysis.<br />Setting: 4 hospitals in Birmingham and Oxford.<br />Results: All the participants received thromboprophylaxis following surgical procedures. Participants were aware of a risk of blood clots; however, they lacked a good understanding of VTE and its components. Experiences of VTE prophylaxis were characterised with good adherence to heparin injections and poor adherence to elastic compression stockings, largely due to perceived lack of clarity in guidance from health professionals. Participants had limited knowledge of the signs and symptoms of VTE and would value improved education on VTE.<br />Conclusions: Findings suggest that patient education is often inadequate and impacts negatively on patients' involvement in VTE prevention. An enhanced patient education programme incorporating a consistent message on the appropriate use of elastic compression stockings and description of VTE symptoms is likely to optimise the effectiveness of the prevention of hospital-associated thrombosis. Physicians may use the results of this study to improve individual patient education.<br />Competing Interests: Conflicts of Interest: None declared.<br /> (Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/.)
- Subjects :
- Adult
Aged
Female
Guidelines as Topic
Humans
Interviews as Topic
Male
Middle Aged
Patient Compliance
Patient Education as Topic
Qualitative Research
Risk Factors
Stockings, Compression statistics & numerical data
Thrombosis etiology
United Kingdom
Anticoagulants therapeutic use
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Iatrogenic Disease prevention & control
Postoperative Complications prevention & control
Thrombosis prevention & control
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 2044-6055
- Volume :
- 6
- Issue :
- 12
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- BMJ open
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 27974371
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2016-013839