I never like high def. Sheesh, I look old.
But after seeing lots of patients with atrial fibrillation, my colleagues and I decided to collaborate on producing a video to introduce patients to atrial fibrillation. It was placed online today and runs about 8 minutes.
The intent is for patients to have an opportunity to view this video just before I see them so they have an opportunity to ask questions about their condition during their visit, rather than me spending the entire clinic visit reviewing the basics.
What do you think?
-Wes
Dr Wes: As an Afib/flecainide patient I thought the video was superb. I have a small suggestion. You might consider, in Chapter 7, having Dr Nazari specifically identify the term for "a shock to the chest" as "cardioversion" to set the stage for Dr Ro's use of that term in Chapter 8, thus avoiding confusion. I really enjoyed seeing the operating room showing the actual ablations occurring on screen. You have a wonderful blog; keep up the good work! -chuck
ReplyDeletedhmosquito-
ReplyDeleteGreat suggestion. Thank you.
Really nice video. I forwarded it my sister who is an OT who used to work in cardiac rehab.
ReplyDeleteGreat video. Can I use it for my patients?
ReplyDeleteAnother suggestion would be to place more emphasis on the fact that ablation is only indicated for SOME pts with afib, lest all your patients and mine think that they need ablation.
Re: looking older. Bet shaving off the 'stache would make you look younger.
CardioNP
Wes,
ReplyDeleteGreat video!
I think the only way I can see to improve this would be for you to tell the story of a real ATRIAL FIBRILLATION patient and encourage him or her to have a discussion with their health care provider about the importance of treating their atrial fibrillation with ablation.
I think your audience would find this found it engaging and credible, and feel motivated to speak with their physician about their atrial fibrillation risk.
I think for some of your patients this could be a "wake-up call" to take charge of their arrhythmia.
Happy to help out,
Jay :)
CardioNP-
ReplyDeleteFeel free to use this with your patients (hey, it's on the web, right?)
Like the suggestion of ablation for SOME patients, etc. Certainly, this part of the video tries to stay pretty general... (we do have "Part II" which focuses on ablation, specifically, but chose NOT to make that video public since it involves issues specific to our center including, Jay, an actual patient testimonial...)
Now, regarding the 5:00 shadow... the film was shot after work (from 7-10PM...)
I know, excuses, excuses....
I think the video is an excellent starting point for patients. Once they have reviewed it, they will be informed enough to ask intelligent questions and probably be more comfortable with the condition/treatments.
ReplyDeleteMan, it really makes me want to get Afib, just to meet some cool electrophysiologists.
ReplyDeleteGruntDoc
Bravo! This is very well done (5 o'clock shadow and all!). I especially like the image of the electrical impulses (looks like lightening!) in the atria with only a few making it to the ventricles. This is excellent for visual learners, and as many times as I try to draw this for patients, it's just not as effective as your graphic.
ReplyDeleteI realize you were careful to present all pertinent information in a balanced manner without emphasis on one point or another, but personally I would appreciate some kind of pause (for emphasis) or something after you mention rate control vs rhythm control. I find MANY patients can't quite grasp this concept - they just want to use whatever means necessary to get back to 'normal', even when treatment isn't indicated and they're feeling well.
Thanks for creating this. I'm sure it will make a positive difference for a lot of afibbers!
Dr. Wes: As an Afib patient who had this procedure a year ago at your facility - this video is great. It would have been quite helpful for my 'learning curve' as a patient. I would have appreciated having a similar video prior to an EP mapping. BTW - your facility and EP staff are terrific.
ReplyDeleteAnony 09:46 -
ReplyDeleteThank you.
Okay, here's a random comment you probably wouldn't often hear: I wonder how many of your patients would have high-frequency hearing loss, the kind that comes with age. Consonants are at higher frequencies than vowels, so speech becomes less intelligible, the higher-pitched the voice. I have worn state-of-the-art hearing aids with what is now a severe HF loss since my 20's, so I have empathy for the older folks.
ReplyDeleteWhat I'm getting at is, I had a much harder time hearing Dr. Nazari clearly than I did you. I only got halfway through the video because it kept cutting out on me, so I can't comment on the whole thing. But that one aspect was something I thought you might like to know. Closed captioning a possibility? Because a lot of the old folks don't wear hearing aids and won't admit they need them--their world sounds normal to them. (Been there, got over that.)