title: Using the 'Think Aloud' Technique to Explore Quality of Life Issues During Standard Quality-of-Life Questionnaires in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate whether using the 'think aloud' technique during standard quality of life surveys provides useful additional information about patients' experiences of living with atrial fibrillation (AF) and health related quality of life (HRQoL).
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Atrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac arrhythmia and has serious health consequences, particularly ischaemic stroke, high rates of morbidity and mortality and poor HRQoL. Standard quality-of-life questionnaires are often used but may not provide sufficient detail of patients' experiences living with AF.
  
  
  METHODS
  A qualitative interpretative study based on semi-structured interviews.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with AF (n=12) were recruited from the Choice of Health Options in Prevention of Cardiovascular Events-in Atrial Fibrillation (CHOICE-AF), a risk factor management program. Participants were interviewed using a 'think aloud' technique with questions guided by the AF Effects on Quality Of Life Questionnaire (AFEQT) and the Short Form-12 (SF-12). Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed thematically.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants had a median age of 71 years (interquartile range 52 to 77 years), and included four women and eight men. Four themes were identified related to experiences of living with AF and HRQoL including: (1) the adverse impact of atrial fibrillation symptoms, treatments, and related knowledge; (2) loss of function or independence; (3) the influence of age; and (4) approach to life.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Atrial fibrillation, especially in older adults, creates an additional layer of requirements for self-management onto existing self-care needs. Even for patients with relatively high HRQoL, the 'think aloud' technique together with standard HRQoL questionnaires can help identify additional issues that can be addressed by health professionals to improve the HRQoL of these patients.
authors.affiliation: Sydney Nursing School, Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Ling
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Sydney Nursing School, Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Robyn
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gallagher
authors.affiliation: Sydney Nursing School, Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lowres
authors.affiliation: Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW Australia.
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Orchard
authors.affiliation: Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW Australia; Heart Research Institute, Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Anzac Research Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: S Ben
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Freedman
authors.affiliation: Sydney Nursing School, Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: lis.neubeck@sydney.edu.au.
authors.forename: Lis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Neubeck
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: AF; Atrial fibrillation; HRQoL; Health related quality of life; Patient experience