Development of a patient and clinician co-led education program to promote living well with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator: Insights from a pilot project

• Published in: PEC innovation Vol. 1; p. 100104
• Main Authors: Forman, Jacqueline, Murtagh, Emily, Cheung, Jamie, Chakrabarti, Santabhanu, Macleod, Stefanie, MacEwing, Claire, Owens, Sean, Alley, Hugh, Bangma, Kristina, Villeneuve, Marcelle, Lauck, Sandra
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.12.2022; Elsevier
• Subjects: ICD; Implantable cardioverter defibrillator; Patient education; patient partner; peer support; Patient education; ICD; patient partner; Implantable cardioverter defibrillator; peer support
• ISSN: 2772-6282; 2772-6282
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pecinn.2022.100104

To evaluate a pilot education program designed to improve patients’ experience of living well with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). Patient Partners with previously implanted ICD and clinicians collaboratively performed monthly education sessions for potential and recent ICD recipients. Curriculum development was informed by current evidence of ICD patients’ unique educational needs; delivery format transitioned to a virtual platform following the onset of COVID-19. Participants’ experience was evaluated using a tailored questionnaire to explore preliminary insights. 126 participants (median age: 62 years; women: 30%) attended 24 sessions. In-person participants (n = 62, 49.2%) reported sessions as helpful (n = 56, 94%) with regards to format and Patient Partner interactions. Virtual participants 64 (50.8%) completed an electronic survey (n = 27, 45%); reporting sufficient information for most topics with the exception of potential psychological effects of ICD implantation. Patient Partners as collaborative session leaders was perceived to be very helpful (n = 22, 82%) or somewhat helpful (n = 5, 18%). This novel educational partnership met the learning needs of patients at the vulnerable time of new cardiac device implantation of both in-person and virtual formats. The inclusion of Patient Partners in co-led cardiac education informs novel approach to care that may improve patients’ experiences of living well with complex technology. •Education sessions designed and implemented by Patient Partners and expert clinicians are feasible and well accepted.•Patient Partners can provide support and education through sharing their lived experiences.•In-person patient education sessions can successfully be transitioned to a virtual platform.