Exploring patient‐reported outcomes following percutaneous coronary intervention: A qualitative study

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a common cardiac procedure used to treat obstructive coronary artery disease. Patient‐centred care is a priority in cardiovascular health having been shown to increase patient satisfaction, engagement with rehabilitation activities and reduce anxiety. Evidence indicates that patient‐centred care is best achieved by routine collection of patient‐reported outcomes (PROs). However, existing patient‐reported outcome measures (PROMs) have limited the patient involvement in their development. AIMS: To identify and explore outcomes, patients perceive as important following PCI. METHODS: A qualitative design was adopted. Eight focus groups and five semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 32 patients who had undergone PCI in the previous 6 months. Outcomes were identified and mapped under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) patient‐reported outcome (PROs) domains of feeling (physical and psychological outcomes), function and evaluation. Inductive and deductive analysis methods were used with open, axial and thematic coding. RESULTS: Consistent with prior studies, patients identified feeling and function outcomes such as reductions in physical and psychological symptoms and the ability to perform usual activities as important. Participants also identified a range of new outcomes, including confidence to return to usual activities and evaluation domains such as adverse effects of medications and the importance of patient communication. CONCLUSION: The findings of this research should be considered in the design of a cardiac PROM for PCI patients. A PROM which adequately assesses these outcomes can provide clinicians and hospital staff with a foundation in which to address these concerns or symptoms.