A Pharmacist-Led Education Program to Improve Adherence to Direct Oral Anticoagulants in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation

Impact of a Pharmacist-Led Education Program on Medication Adherence and Treatment Effectiveness of Direct Oral Anticoagulants in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat) increases the risk of stroke, and patients are commonly treated with direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs). However, when patients do not take these medications regularly, the drugs may not work effectively, increasing health risks.

In this study, called PharmAD-AF, specially trained pharmacists will meet with patients who have atrial fibrillation and are prescribed DOACs. They will offer personalized education and support to help patients take their medications as directed.

Researchers will compare groups of patients who receive this pharmacist-led education versus those who receive usual care. The main goals are to assess whether pharmacist support improves how consistently patients take their DOACs and how well the treatment prevents strokes while avoiding the side effects of DOAC therapy.

If successful, the study will demonstrate how pharmacist-led education can help patients stick to their treatment plan and reduce serious health risks, offering a practical way to improve heart-related care.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 18 years of age or older
• have a confirmed diagnosis of AF
• are expected to begin DOAC therapy for at least 3 months for stroke prevention

Exclusion Criteria:

• cannot understand DOAC-related education due to low literacy, language barriers, or cognitive impairment
• have been on DOAC therapy for more than 6 months
• using DOACs in off-label regimens
• are pregnant or breastfeeding