Development of a patient and clinician co-led education program to promote living well with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator: Insights from a pilot project

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a pilot education program designed to improve patients’ experience of living well with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). METHODS: Patient Partners with previously implanted ICD and clinicians collaboratively performed monthly education sessions for potential and recent ICD recipients. Curriculum development was informed by current evidence of ICD patients’ unique educational needs; delivery format transitioned to a virtual platform following the onset of COVID-19. Participants’ experience was evaluated using a tailored questionnaire to explore preliminary insights. RESULTS: 126 participants (median age: 62 years; women: 30%) attended 24 sessions. In-person participants (n = 62, 49.2%) reported sessions as helpful (n = 56, 94%) with regards to format and Patient Partner interactions. Virtual participants 64 (50.8%) completed an electronic survey (n = 27, 45%); reporting sufficient information for most topics with the exception of potential psychological effects of ICD implantation. Patient Partners as collaborative session leaders was perceived to be very helpful (n = 22, 82%) or somewhat helpful (n = 5, 18%). CONCLUSION: This novel educational partnership met the learning needs of patients at the vulnerable time of new cardiac device implantation of both in-person and virtual formats. INNOVATION: The inclusion of Patient Partners in co-led cardiac education informs novel approach to care that may improve patients’ experiences of living well with complex technology.