The Heart Rhythm Society (HRS), in partnership with WebMD Education, has announced the launch of a free online educational tool for atrial fibrillation (AF). The new interactive AF information tool is part of a larger series of educational activities hosted by WebMD Education to help patients, caregivers and those who may be at risk to learn more about various medical conditions. The AF-focused tool is an easy-to-use, interactive activity delivering important information directly to the user. This is the first collaboration between HRS and WebMD Education. The new online interactive AF information tool, which can be accessed on WebMD Education and via its sister site, Medscape, presents physician-reviewed content about the signs and symptoms of AF. Upon completing the activity, users are more aware of AF and the risks associated with the condition. Specifically, the tool covers the following topic areas:
- Definition and types of AF
- Symptoms and risks
- How AF is diagnosed
- Understanding and preventing stroke
- Goals and types of treatment
- What to ask your doctor
“In a day and age where information, correct and incorrect, is available at your fingertips, it is more important than ever to arm patients with accurate and helpful information about their health. With our physician-led expertise in electrophysiology and WebMD’s extensive digital footprint, this interactive tool provides patients and caregivers with information that will allow for more open and informed conversations with physicians,” says Lynda E Rosenfeld, professor of Medicine and Pediatrics at the Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, USA.
In 2015, a survey of 240 patient and caregiver respondents conducted by HRS gathered insights about common practices related to searching for heart arrhythmia information. Survey findings demonstrated the importance of readily available tools—indicating physicians, internet searches and internet consumer medical sites such as WebMD are top resources for learning about heart arrhythmia. Additionally, the survey revealed that 98% of respondents view WebMD as their main source of health information, and more than 60% of respondents have used and would use WebMD again for information on heart arrhythmias.
With better education, HRS and WebMD Education hope to provide all patients ad caregivers with the accurate, engaging and clear information needed to make the best possible treatment decisions. In addition to the new interactive AF information tool, HRS also hosts information and patient resources at the website MyAFib.org.
