Project Title

Effectiveness and Cost-effectiveness of a Structured Follow-up Program for Patients with Pulmonary Embolism: A clinical multicentre pre-post intervention study 

Background

Patients with pulmonary embolism (PE) experience impaired functional ability and reduced quality of life long after discharge from the hospital. However, there are no structured follow-up guidelines or strategies in Denmark for these patients, and there is considerable variation in the practice patterns of post-PE management. 

Aim

This PhD aims to investigate the effectiveness of a structured follow-up program (the ATTEND-PE model) for patients with PE compared with usual care. Implementation of the ATTEND-PE model is expected to;

1. Improve patient-reported quality of life, disability, treatment satisfaction, mental health, and work productivity

2. Improve VTE-related mortality, recurrent PE, major bleeding, adherence with anticoagulant medicine and use of health care services

3. Be cost-effective compared to usual care. 

Methods

A pre-post study design is used, where the pre-implementation population will be compared to the post-implementation population on both patient-reported and clinical outcome measures, using appropriate statistical methodology. The cost-effectiveness of the ATTEND-PE model will be assessed using a cost-effectiveness analysis and a cost-utility analysis. 

Perspectives

This PhD will be the first to examine the effectiveness of a structured post-PE program. It will serve to establish consensus on what an optimal follow-up strategy for post-PE care should include and inform future guideline development both nationally and internationally. Additionally, this PhD will clarify whether the model is beneficial from a health economic perspective.