Grant: Project Grant

Atrial fibrillation is the most common and important cardiac arrhythmia in the world. It is the next epidemic in cardiovascular medicine. Studies have estimated that 5 million patients are being diagnosed with atrial fibrillation each year worldwide and that the prevalence of atrial fibrillation is expected to double in the next 20 years. At present, the quality of care that atrial fibrillation patients receive is suboptimal. This proposal consists of a series of innovative, large-scale projects that will close the gap in the quality of care received by atrial fibrillation patients. This study will lay the groundwork for a strong foundation from which we can improve the quality and outcomes of care for atrial fibrillation patients in the future. We will first examine how to measure care properly, then we will extend our scope to the entire province of Ontario to assess the current level of care and, lastly, we will decide on the next steps needed in order to improve our current level of care. With all this knowledge, we can implement changes in our healthcare system across Canada and other jurisdictions to apply the use of evidence-based performance measures, to close practice gaps in care and to determine the best way to address the characteristics linked with suboptimal care.