On Wednesday 30 April at 14.00, Ina Grønkjær Laugesen defends her PhD dissertation entitled "Anticoagulant therapy for atrial fibrillation: exploring the treatment gap among patients in general practice".

Atrial fibrillation is the most common heart rhythm disorder worldwide, and the condition is associated with a fivefold increase in the risk of stroke. Anticoagulant therapy can reduce this risk, but epidemiological studies show that many patients remain untreated. This suggests that there is a gap between research-based knowledge and daily clinical practice.

Decisions about blood-thinning treatment are complex, and the pros and cons must be carefully weighed. Many patients with atrial fibrillation are followed by their general practitioner (GP), but we know little about the reasons for the apparent undertreatment and what role general practice plays.

The aim of this PhD project was to create a knowledge base to support the development of an intervention to ensure appropriate anticoagulant treatment for patients with atrial fibrillation. However, the results showed that the decision not to treat is often based on relevant clinical considerations.

The summary is written by the PhD student.

The defence is public and takes place in Auditorium 201, Aarhus Institute of Advanced Studies (AIAS), Aarhus University. Please see the press release for more information. 

Contact

PhD student Ina Grønkjær Laugesen
Mail: inalauge@ph.au.dk 
Phone: +45 20482589

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