First randomized trial shows education for health care professionals can improve guideline implementation

Medical Xpress September 2, 2024
European Society of Cardiology

Adherence to atrial fibrillation (AF) guideline recommendations was found to be poor in clinical practice across Europe, but a structured educational program for health care professionals improved implementation of heart rhythm control recommendations in patients, according to late-breaking research presented in a Hot Line session Sept. 1 at the ESC Congress 2024 and concurrently published in Europace.

Explaining why the research was conducted, Chief Investigator, Professor Dipak Kotecha from the University of Birmingham, U.K., said, “While guidelines, such as those from the ESC, aim to support health care professionals in applying optimal care, their recommendations are often not implemented in clinical practice, with education of health care staff identified as a major barrier.