Barriers and Facilitators to Optimal Anticoagulation Management: A Focus Group Study Protocol

Abstract

Background: Oral anticoagulants (OACs) require high-quality management given their frequent use amongst seniors, clinically important benefits and common, serious drug-related harm. Improvement in OAC management has been proposed as a means to improve health outcomes and health care sustainability. The objective of this focus group study is to identify barriers and facilitators to optimal OAC management from the perspective of patients, caregivers and healthcare providers. Methods: We have planned a multi-site qualitative study based on a qualitative descriptive approach with two patient/caregiver focus groups and two health care provider groups to be held in Southwestern Ontario, Canada. The desired sample size is 32-40 participants (based on 8-10 people per focus group). Discussion: The findings from these focus groups will be used to inform our intervention in a follow-up randomized trial, “Coordinated Oral Anticoagulant Care at Hospital eDischarge” (COACHeD) which aims to improve OAC management and bridge knowledge gaps in this area. Trial registration: This is a sub-study of Improving Anticoagulant safety at Hospital Discharge: A Randomized Trial with ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02777047.