Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42161540›Full record

ArticleBMJ open2026

Australian key stakeholder views regarding implementation of atrial fibrillation screening: a qualitative evaluation.

Kirsty Mckenzie, Ben Freedman, Anushka Jacob, Rakesh Narendra Modi, Nicole Lowres

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMJ open, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Key stakeholder views on atrial fibrillation screening: a systematic mixed-studies review and interpretive analysis.Europace : European pacing, arrhythmias, and cardiac electrophysiology : journal of the working groups on cardiac pacing, arrhythmias, and cardiac cellular electrophysiology of the European Society of Cardiology · 2026
    Pooled it
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Kirsty MckenzieHeart Research Institute Ltd, Newtown, New South Wales, Australia.
Ben FreedmanHeart Research Institute Ltd, Newtown, New South Wales, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3809-2911
Anushka JacobHeart Research Institute Ltd, Newtown, New South Wales, Australia.
Rakesh Narendra ModiUniversity of Cambridge Primary Care Unit, Cambridge, UK rnm30@medschl.cam.ac.uk.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9651-6690
Nicole LowresHeart Research Institute Ltd, Newtown, New South Wales, Australia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveTo understand the issues impacting atrial fibrillation (AF) screening and what needs to be considered for a successful national screening programme in Australia.

designQualitative design using semistructured interviews and thematic analysis.

settingAustralian Health.

participantsSix broad stakeholder groups were identified: charities/patient support, healthcare providers, professional bodies, government, research (including Indigenous health) and industry.

methodsSemistructured interviews were conducted with 25 representative participants. Iterative thematic analysis was used. Coding was driven by the research questions (the current context; is a national screening programme warranted and approaches to a national screening programme) and an inductive approach where novel groupings of information were identified.

findingsThe key findings are grouped into four areas. (1) Current opportunistic general practitioner-led screening is ad hoc and fragmented. ISSUES: poor remuneration; lack of health sector collaboration and prioritisation; consumers lack awareness. (2) Systematic screening of all in-scope patients not considered feasible and concerns over lack of evidence. (3) Alternative approaches to increase screening include innovative approaches inside and outside general practice and use of smart technology. (4) Recommendations: (a) Support general practices and address remuneration and workflows; (b) Ensure a clear pathway to treatment; (c) Address data security, management and integration and sensitivity issues with wearable devices; (d) Promote collaboration between key organisations; (e) Address research gaps and (f) Generate culturally appropriate consumer education to promote consumer demand.

conclusionsMost stakeholders were broadly supportive of AF screening but agreed that current approaches were fragmented and not sufficient. If the forthcoming research evidence supports screening effectiveness on major outcomes, stakeholders envisaged a semi-systematic approach tailored to specific health settings, rather than a formalised systematic national screening programme.

Indexed as

Atrial FibrillationMass ScreeningStakeholder ParticipationAustraliaFemaleHumansInterviews as TopicMaleQualitative ResearchImplementation ScienceMass ScreeningPacing & electrophysiologyPrimary CareQUALITATIVE RESEARCH

Identifiers

PMID42161540
PMCPMC13202094

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.