Living with atrial fibrillation: qualitative studies on patients’ perception of illness

Abstract

The paper presents a review ofinternational studies of the last decade, which apply qualitative methodology in order to reveal illness perception in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). We consistently cover key themes in patients’ illness perception, namely 1) AF screening, 2) theillness dynamics since its onset over the course, 3) changes in health-related quality of life for patients as well as for their family members, 4) insufficient aware-ness on the illness, 5) anticoagulation therapy. We discuss application perspectives of the review results to medi-cal and psychological support of AF patients in general, and in Russia in particular.