Storytelling for Reducing Gap in Anticoagulation Use in African Americans With Atrial Fibrillation

Storytelling for Reducing Gap in Anticoagulation Use in African Americans With Atrial Fibrillation Randomized Trial (STORY-AF Trial)

The overall goal of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a previously developed storytelling intervention on anticoagulation (AC) initiation/persistence in African American and Black patients with atrial fibrillation/flutter. The investigators hope to gain knowledge that may help treat atrial fibrillation or flutter and lower stroke and adverse cardiovascular event risks for African American and Black patients by increasing the use of blood thinning medications known as anticoagulants.

This is a multi-site research study including sites of both the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School (UMass Memorial Healthcare System) and the University of Michigan Medical Center (Michigan). Baseline call: During the baseline call, the investigators will obtain verbal informed consent. During the call, the investigators will also collect demographic information and measure health literacy, the latter using two validated single-item instruments the investigators have used before. Randomization: The investigators will randomize patients to watch videos the investigators developed (intervention) versus informational videos (controls). More specifically, the investigators will randomize patients separately by study site (UMass/Michigan), using randomly permuted blocks of sizes 4 and 6 embedded into a prespecified table. Exit interview: The exit interview will be conducted approximately 90 days from the date of enrollment with study participants. Interview questions will relate to whether the patient has already started AC, the likelihood of starting anticoagulation (AC), barriers to starting AC, and burdensomeness and acceptability of the interview. Chart review: The investigators will also perform chart review to capture information that will inform whether the investigators achieved balance in treatment allocation groups on important factors related to study outcomes. Chart review will also provide covariate information which the investigators will use in outcome analysis. Through HIPAA authorization, the investigators will extract information related to age, gender, insurance status, prior AC use, CHA2DS2VASc stroke risk score, comorbidities associated with bleeding, and adherence to preventive health screening. Data Security: Analyses will be performed using only limited datasets, and only aggregate data will be reported. All data will be used for research purposes only; published data will not contain any individual identifiers and will be reported in the aggregate. The proposed study involves no more than minimal risk to participants. The potential benefits to subjects from study participation include increased knowledge of atrial fibrillation and AC and improved rates of adherence to AC guidelines. This may in turn prevent strokes or limit bleeding that would otherwise have occurred without the benefit of this intervention.

Atrial Fibrillation, Atrial Flutter, Adherence, Medication, Anticoagulants and Bleeding Disorders, Stroke, Bleeding, Narration

Videos of African Americans currently taking anticoagulation talking about their experiences with using anticoagulation or blood thinners and successfully navigating setbacks occurring with use including bleeding, falls, strokes, and affording the medications.

Participants assigned to the intervention group will watch videos presenting stories of African American patients about their experiences with using anticoagulation or blood thinners throughout a 90-day period.

In intervention patients, measure transportation (absorption into a story) using a transportation scale short form where the minimum and maximum values are 1 (Not at all) and 7 (Very much), respectively. Higher scores mean a better outcome (high transportation).

The investigators will calculate the proportion of patients recruited as well as the recruitment rate. The recruitment proportion will be the number of patients randomized over the total of patients approached. The recruitment rate will be the total time (in days) required to recruit the randomized sample.

The investigators will calculate the per-group retention proportion as the number of individuals from each group remaining in the study after its completion over the total randomized to that group.

Participants will be asked to use an acceptability scale (which the investigators will develop later during the study) to rate their agreement with statements about the acceptability of using the video website, completing the transportation scale short survey (intervention participants only), and participating in the study in general.

The investigators will review charts (electronic medical records) of study participants for frequency of anticoagulation (AC) initiation (switch from being off AC to being on AC) in intervention vs. controls over the six months from randomization in patients who start AC.

The investigators will review charts (electronic medical records) of study participants for anticoagulation (AC) persistence (duration of AC use measured in days from baseline) in intervention vs. controls over the six months from randomization in patients who start AC.

Inclusion Criteria: African-American patients aged 18 or older with elevated stroke risk (CHA2DS2-VASc ≥2 for men and ≥3 for women) who are not currently on anticoagulation (AC) but for whom a cardiology provider or primary care provider at the two study sites recommended AC recently Exclusion Criteria: Non-African American and other non-Black patients under the age of 18 patients without an ICD-10 diagnostic code consistent with AF or atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter Patient without a visit with a primary care provider, cardiovascular medicine specialist, or ambulatory care provider in the previous one year Patient who is pregnant or a prisoner. Patients with left atrial appendage surgery or device, hospice status, ongoing bleeding, and intracranial bleeding in intralobar territory