Surveying the Landscape of Structural Heart Disease Coordination: An Exploratory Study of the Coordinator Role

ABSTRACT

Background: In professional society consensus statements for structural heart disease (SHD), the Coordinator is identified as a key member of the Multidisciplinary Team (MDT). Minimal information is available to describe this role. The purpose of this exploratory survey is to describe the current landscape of SHD coordination and the Coordinator role on the MDT.

Methods: A link to a 40-question web-based survey was distributed to 596 email addresses of nurses and allied health professionals involved in coordinating catheter-based therapies for SHD. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze survey data.

Results: Respondents (N = 219) were predominantly registered nurse coordinators (82.2%); 43.9% held a bachelor’s degree and 43.4% a master’s or doctoral degree. Valve Clinic Coordinator was the most frequently held title (33.5%). A total of 23.3% of respondents coordinated patient care for TAVR, TMVr MitraClip, LAAO Watchman; 42.4% coordinated patient care for TAVR and TMVr MitraClip or LAAO Watchman; and 34.3% coordinated patient care solely for TAVR. Whereas 33.8% of respondents represented programs with more than one coordinator, 26% of respondents were hired to replace a coordinator and 9.6% of respondents reported more than one coordinator had resigned from the program. Common responsibilities were determined and areas for further study (skill-task alignment, retention, and impact of the Coordinator role) were identified.

Conclusions: This study provides the first data-driven description of the SHD Coordinator on the MDT. These data on the scope of SHD coordination in the U.S. may assist with establishing a standardized definition and national parameters for the Coordinator role.

KEYWORDS:

• Structural heart
• care coordination
• heart team
• delivery of health care
• administration
• health services
• heart valve
• Interventional Cardiology

View correction statement:

Correction

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge:

● Professional societies, industry partners, and colleagues who have recognized the Coordinator as a key member of the multidisciplinary team, and

● Pioneering coordinators and clinicians who have worked tirelessly to transform the care of patients with structural heart disease, namely Sandra Lauck, PhD, RN and Marian Hawkey, RN for leading the community with their commitment to educating coordinators and elevating this pivotal role.

Disclosure statement

No company or agency sponsored this research. No funding was received from any source.

In accordance with Taylor & Francis policy and our ethical obligation as researchers, we are reporting the following relationships. These interests are disclosed fully to Taylor & Francis, and we have in place an approved plan for managing any potential conflicts arising from that involvement.

Table