{
  "abstract": "Introduction Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a growing public health concern associated with significant morbidity, mortality and impaired quality of life. Despite evidence supporting cardiac rehabilitation (CR) as part of secondary prevention in AF care, referral rates remain low, and the extent of CR needs in this population is unknown. This protocol outlines a nationwide survey-based and registry-based study aiming to: i) describe CR needs among individuals with AF and ii) assess eligibility and acceptance of referral to specific CR components based on individual patient preferences and their overlap with identified needs.Methods and analysis This cross-sectional study includes three phases: 1) identification of the study population using Danish national registries; 2) electronic survey distribution to individuals with a first-time AF diagnosis in 2023–2024 and 3) registry data enrichment of the entire population. The survey includes validated patient-reported outcome measures aligned with a newly developed Needs Assessment Model, supplemented by items on patient preferences for CR components. Data are analysed descriptively and using correlation analysis.Ethics and dissemination Participants are informed of the study purpose, data protection and their rights before providing informed consent through survey participation. The study follows the Declaration of Helsinki and Danish ethical standards. Findings are disseminated via scientific journals, conferences, a cross-sectoral stakeholder workshop and public outreach activities.Trial registration number NCT06772207.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Cardiology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark",
        "Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark"
      ],
      "name": "Caroline Matilde Elnegaard"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Cardiology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark",
        "Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark"
      ],
      "name": "Britt Borregaard"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Cardiology, Herlev Hospital, Herlev, Capital Region of Denmark, Denmark",
        "Institute of Nursing and Nutrition, University College Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Capital Region of Denmark, Denmark",
        "Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Capital Region of Denmark, Denmark"
      ],
      "name": "Signe Stelling Risom"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Internal Medicine & Emergency Department, Svendborg Hospital, Svendborg, Denmark"
      ],
      "name": "Claus Tveskov"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Political Science and Public Management, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Syddanmark, Denmark"
      ],
      "name": "Mickael Bech"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Biodemography, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Region Syddanmark, Denmark"
      ],
      "name": "Jacob von Bornemann Hjelmborg"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Healthcare Center Svendborg, Svendborg Municipality, Svendborg, Region Syddanmark, Denmark"
      ],
      "name": "Jesper Eilsø"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Health and Prevention, Aeroe Municipality, Ærøskøbing, Region Syddanmark, Denmark"
      ],
      "name": "Anne Marie Hedegaard"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Cardiology, Herlev Hospital, Herlev, Capital Region of Denmark, Denmark"
      ],
      "name": "Annemie Stege Bojer"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Cardiology, Zealand University Hospital Roskilde, Roskilde, Region Zealand, Denmark"
      ],
      "name": "Stine Darkner"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Cardiology, Viborg Regional Hospital, Viborg, Central Denmark Region, Denmark"
      ],
      "name": "Andi E Albertsen"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Cardiology, North Denmark Regional Hospital, Hjørring, North Denmark Region, Denmark"
      ],
      "name": "Albert Marni Joensen"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Cardiology, Esbjerg and Grindsted Hospital, Esbjerg, Region Syddanmark, Denmark",
        "Department of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Region Syddanmark, Denmark"
      ],
      "name": "Axel Brandes"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Capital Region of Denmark, Denmark",
        "Clinic of Palliative Medicine and Rehabilitation, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Capital Region of Denmark, Denmark"
      ],
      "name": "Ann-Dorthe Zwisler"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Cardiac rehabilitation in atrial fibrillation: a protocol for a Danish survey and registry-based study (PRIME-AF)",
  "uid": "ce6700c7-bba9-5075-ad05-4a0a7e2e0c1a"
}