Abstract

Introduction: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommended direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) for a variety of indications as equal alternatives to warfarin, and stated that the patient's values and preferences should be used to guide choice of agent in a shared decision making process [1]. However, uptake of DOACs had been patchy and slow across the UK [2]. Identifying the perceived barriers to using DOACs could help to develop strategies to overcome these and enable their use where appropriate.
Aim: The study aimed to investigate the attitudes and perceptions of professionals towards oral anticoagulation, and the choice between warfarin and the DOACs.
References
1. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Anticoagulants, including non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs). Key therapeutic topic [KTT16]. 2016. Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/advice/ktt16 [accessed 27/08/2019]
2. Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry Stroke in Atrial Fibrillation Initiative. NOACs: Innovation in anticoagulation – Optimising the prevention of AF-related stroke. 2014. Available at: http://www.abpi.org.uk/publications/noacs-innovation-in-anticoagulation/ [accessed 27/08/2019]