{
  "abstract": "Objective To explore patients’ experiences and perspectives on using a direct-to-consumer smartwatch with single-lead electrocardiography (1L-ECG) for ambulatory rhythm diagnostics in primary care.Design Qualitative study using semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis.Setting Primary care patients referred for ambulatory rhythm monitoring in a diagnostic centre.Participant Eighteen adults with paroxysmal palpitations, of whom nine were female patients (50%), aged 32–85 (median 66) years.Intervention Participants simultaneously wore a smartwatch with 1L-ECG capability (Withings ScanWatch) and a conventional Holter monitor for 7 days.Outcome measures Patient experiences and perceived barriers and facilitators to smartwatch use for rhythm monitoring, reported after the monitoring period.Results Patients found the smartwatch more user-friendly and feasible than the Holter monitor. Difficulties included uncertainty about when to initiate recordings, challenges capturing brief episodes and anxiety triggered by automated algorithm outputs. Participants emphasised the importance of accessible healthcare support for interpretation and reassurance.Conclusions This study shows that smartwatch-based 1L-ECG monitoring is feasible and acceptable for ambulatory rhythm diagnostics in primary care. Prior to routine implementation, it is crucial to address the identified challenges: particularly anxiety related to algorithm results, uncertainty about when to record and accessible clinician support.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of General Practice, Amsterdam UMC Location AMC, Amsterdam, Netherlands",
        "Personalized Medicine, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands"
      ],
      "name": "Evert P M Karregat"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of General Practice, Amsterdam UMC Location AMC, Amsterdam, Netherlands",
        "Personalized Medicine, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands"
      ],
      "name": "Pieter Vooijs"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Cardiology, Dijklander Hospital, Hoorn, Netherlands"
      ],
      "name": "Eric Wierda"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of General Practice, Amsterdam UMC Location AMC, Amsterdam, Netherlands",
        "Personalized Medicine, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands"
      ],
      "name": "Ralf Harskamp"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of General Practice, Amsterdam UMC Location AMC, Amsterdam, Netherlands",
        "Personalized Medicine, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands"
      ],
      "name": "Wim Lucassen"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of General Practice, Amsterdam UMC Location AMC, Amsterdam, Netherlands",
        "Personalized Medicine, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands"
      ],
      "name": "Jelle C L Himmelreich"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of General Practice, Amsterdam UMC Location AMC, Amsterdam, Netherlands",
        "Personalized Medicine, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands",
        "Department of Public and Occupational Health, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands"
      ],
      "name": "Eric P Moll van Charante"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Patient experiences with a smartwatch 1L-ECG versus traditional Holter monitoring for ambulatory cardiac rhythm monitoring: a qualitative study",
  "uid": "c5eeadf1-c002-55e1-bd5a-38c037112bf5"
}