Bmc Fam Pract
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Does a complex intervention increase patient knowledge about oral anticoagulation? - a cluster-randomised controlled trial.
Oral anticoagulation therapy (OAT) is a challenge in general practice, especially for high-risk groups such as the elderly. Insufficient patient knowledge about safety-relevant aspects of OAT is considered to be one of the main reasons for complications. The research question addressed in this manuscript is whether a complex intervention that includes practice-based case management, self-management of OAT and additional patient and practice team education improves patient knowledge about anticoagulation therapy compared to a control group of patients receiving usual care (as a secondary objective of the Primary Care Management for Optimised Antithrombotic Treatment (PICANT) trial). ⋯ Since this intervention was effective, it should be established in general practice as a means of improving patient knowledge about oral anticoagulation.