title: Knowledge gaps in patients with atrial fibrillation revealed by a new validated knowledge questionnaire.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to develop and validate a new questionnaire, the Jessa Atrial fibrillation Knowledge Questionnaire (JAKQ), to test the knowledge of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) about the arrhythmia, its treatment and their ability for self-management.
  
  
  METHODS
  The JAKQ was developed based on other questionnaires, two educational checklists and patient information support websites. The JAKQ was validated based on content validity, face validity, response process, discriminatory potential and sensitivity of the questionnaire, construct validity and reliability. It was presented to both outpatients and hospitalised patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 466 AF patients completed the JAKQ. The final 16-item JAKQ consists of 8 questions about AF in general, 5 questions about oral anticoagulation (OAC) therapy and either 3 questions about vitamin K antagonists (VKA) or non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOAC). The questionnaire is completed in 6.5±2.4min. The mean score on the JAKQ is 55.8±18.6% with a wide discriminatory span of scores. The JAKQ reveals important knowledge gaps, like 28.8% of the patients not being aware of their medical condition named 'atrial fibrillation', 33.7% being unaware that AF can cause thromboembolism and stroke, and 78.6% of the patients taking VKA and 57.0% of the patients on NOACs not knowing what to do when missing an OAC dose.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The JAKQ is a brief, complete and valid AF-specific knowledge questionnaire that can be used in daily practice to assess patients' insight into their condition. It could be used as a tool for individually tailored patient education.
authors: Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Martelarenlaan 42, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium; Heart Centre Hasselt, Jessa Hospital, Stadsomvaart 11, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium. Electronic address: lien.desteghe@uhasselt.be.
authors: Lien
authors: L
authors: Desteghe
authors: Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Martelarenlaan 42, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium.
authors: Lara
authors: L
authors: Engelhard
authors: Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Martelarenlaan 42, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium.
authors: Zina
authors: Z
authors: Raymaekers
authors: Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Martelarenlaan 42, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium.
authors: Kiki
authors: K
authors: Kluts
authors: Heart Centre Hasselt, Jessa Hospital, Stadsomvaart 11, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium.
authors: Johan
authors: J
authors: Vijgen
authors: Heart Centre Hasselt, Jessa Hospital, Stadsomvaart 11, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium.
authors: Dagmara
authors: D
authors: Dilling-Boer
authors: Heart Centre Hasselt, Jessa Hospital, Stadsomvaart 11, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium.
authors: Pieter
authors: P
authors: Koopman
authors: Heart Centre Hasselt, Jessa Hospital, Stadsomvaart 11, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium.
authors: Joris
authors: J
authors: Schurmans
authors: Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Martelarenlaan 42, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium; Heart Centre Hasselt, Jessa Hospital, Stadsomvaart 11, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium.
authors: Paul
authors: P
authors: Dendale
authors: Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Martelarenlaan 42, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium; Heart Centre Hasselt, Jessa Hospital, Stadsomvaart 11, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium.
authors: Hein
authors: H
authors: Heidbuchel
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants
keywords: Atrial fibrillation; Education; Knowledge; Questionnaire