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Vervoort D, Afzal AM, Ruiz GZL, Mutema C, Wijeysundera HC, Ouzounian M, Fremes SE. Barriers to Access to Cardiac Surgery: Canadian Situation and Global Context. Can J Cardiol 2024; 40:1110-1122. [PMID: 37977275 DOI: 10.1016/j.cjca.2023.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Cardiovascular care spans primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention and care, whereby tertiary care is particularly prone to disparities in care. Challenges in access to care especially affect low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), however, multiple barriers also exist and persist across high-income countries. Canada is lauded for its universal health coverage but is faced with health care system challenges and substantial geographic barriers. Canada possesses 203 active cardiac surgeons, or 5.02 per million population, ranging from 3.70 per million in Newfoundland and Labrador to 7.48 in Nova Scotia. As such, Canada possesses fewer cardiac surgeons per million population than the average among high-income countries (7.15 per million), albeit more than the global average (1.64 per million) and far higher than the low-income country average (0.04 per million). In Canada, adult cardiac surgeons are active across 32 cardiac centres, representing 0.79 cardiac centres per million population, which is just above the global average (0.73 per million). In addition to centre and workforce variations, barriers to care exist in the form of waiting times, sociodemographic characteristics, insufficient virtual care infrastructure and electronic health record interoperability, and health care governance fragmentation. Meanwhile, Canada has highly favourable surgical outcomes, well established postacute cardiac care infrastructure, considerable spending on health, robust health administrative data, and effective health technology assessment agencies, which provides a foundation for continued improvements in care. In this narrative review, we describe successes and challenges surrounding access to cardiac surgery in Canada and globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominique Vervoort
- Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Division of Cardiac Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Abdul Muqtader Afzal
- Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gabriela Zamunaro Lopes Ruiz
- Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Chileshe Mutema
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, National Heart Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Harindra C Wijeysundera
- Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Schulich Heart Centre, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Maral Ouzounian
- Division of Cardiac Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Stephen E Fremes
- Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Division of Cardiac Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Schulich Heart Centre, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Hong C, Yan Q, Qi H, Zhang Y, Yu L, Dong L, Wang J. Acceptability, Preferred Medium, and Components of Nurse-Led Cardiac Telerehabilitation: A Cross-Sectional Study. Clin Nurs Res 2024; 33:146-156. [PMID: 38291821 DOI: 10.1177/10547738241228634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a comprehensive and multidisciplinary secondary prevention care in coronary heart disease (CHD). There are barriers at the patient and health system levels that prevent CR from being utilized. Cardiac telerehabilitation led by nurses (Ne-CTR) can alleviate the obstacles to participation in CR. A patient perspective can improve CR access. This study was the first pre-program investigation to clarify the status of knowledge and participation in CTR. We sought to clarify the acceptability, the reasons for rejection, the desired form, components, and associated factors with the components needed for (Ne-CTR) in patients with CHD. The study aimed to help develop a protocol for Ne-CTR for Chinese patients with CHD. A cross-sectional study was conducted between 2020 and 2021. Hospitals in four provinces in China were included. The participants were 671 patients with CHD in hospitals located in three regions of China. A self-administered questionnaire collected information about demographics, knowledge, and participation in CTR, acceptability, preferred medium, and components of Ne-CTR. Student's t-test, analysis of variance, and multiple linear regression analyzed the factors associated with component needs. All the analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS version 25.0. Most participants (n = 434, 66.77%) had a poor understanding and participation in CTR. In addition, 65.38% (n = 439) of participants were willing to accept the Ne-CTR program, and 43.56% (n = 98) identified safety as reasons for not accepting such a program. In the group accepting Ne-CTR, 35% chose hospital-designed professional applications as a medium for Ne-CTR when offered. Education (4.44 ± 1.056) and drug information (4.44 ± 1.040) had the highest average need score. Education, monthly income, marital status, previous CTR participation, and health insurance were associated with the demand level scores of Ne-CTR. This study demonstrated high levels of need for Ne-CTR among patients with CHD and identified the desired medium, components, and associated factors of Ne-CTR. These findings provide reference information for the construction of a Ne-CTR program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaochao Hong
- School of Nursing, Nanchang University, Jiangxi Province, China
- Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Qiong Yan
- Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Hongmei Qi
- Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Yaoyao Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Ling Yu
- Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Lijie Dong
- Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi Province, China
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Fuda MR, Patel P, Van Es J, Mosleh K, Cullen K, Lonn E, Schwalm J, Crawshaw J. "Comfort of Sitting at Home While Getting Information I Needed": Experiences of Cardiac Patients Attending Virtual Cardiac Rehabilitation. CJC Open 2024; 6:133-138. [PMID: 38585680 PMCID: PMC10994965 DOI: 10.1016/j.cjco.2023.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, several health care services, including cardiac rehabilitation (CR), had to transition to virtual delivery, for which formal evaluations are lacking. In this pilot study, we investigated the implementation of a virtual CR program by surveying 30 patients attending virtual CR. Virtual CR was well received, although patients provided recommendations to improve delivery such as offering individual sessions and changing how education materials were delivered. Virtual delivery of CR likely has a role in health care, either independently or as part of a hybrid model; however, further evaluation is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew R. Fuda
- Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Pooja Patel
- Hamilton Health Sciences, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Judy Van Es
- Hamilton Health Sciences, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Karen Mosleh
- Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Centre for Evidence-Based Implementation, Hamilton Health Sciences, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Katelyn Cullen
- Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Centre for Evidence-Based Implementation, Hamilton Health Sciences, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Eva Lonn
- Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Hamilton Health Sciences, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Centre for Evidence-Based Implementation, Hamilton Health Sciences, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Population Health Research Institute, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - J.D. Schwalm
- Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Hamilton Health Sciences, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Centre for Evidence-Based Implementation, Hamilton Health Sciences, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Population Health Research Institute, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jacob Crawshaw
- Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Centre for Evidence-Based Implementation, Hamilton Health Sciences, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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Bouchard K, Liu PP, Dautenhahn K, Fiedorowicz JG, Afrin J, Dans M, McGuinty C, Tulloch H. Cardiology professionals' views of social robots in augmenting heart failure patient care. EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL. DIGITAL HEALTH 2024; 5:69-76. [PMID: 38264699 PMCID: PMC10802821 DOI: 10.1093/ehjdh/ztad067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
Aims Social robots are arriving to the modern healthcare system. Whether patients with heart failure, a prevalent chronic disease with high health and human costs would derive benefit from a social robot intervention has not been investigated empirically. Diverse healthcare provider's perspectives are needed to develop an acceptable and feasible social robot intervention to be adopted for the clinical benefit of patients with heart failure. Using a qualitative research design, this study investigated healthcare providers' perspectives of social robot use in heart failure patient care. Methods and results Interdisciplinary healthcare providers from a tertiary care cardiac hospital completed a structured individual interview and a supplemental questionnaire. The framework method was used to analyse the qualitative data. Respondents (n = 22; saturation was reached with this sample; 77% female; 52% physicians) were open to using social robots to augment their practice, particularly with collecting pertinent data and providing patient and family education and self-management prompts, but with limited responsibility for direct patient care. Prior to implementation, providers required robust evidence of: value-added beyond current remote patient monitoring devices, patient and healthcare provider partnerships, streamlined integration into existing practice, and capability of supporting precision medicine goals. Respondents were concerned that social robots did not address and masked broader systemic issues of healthcare access and equity. Conclusion The adoption of social robots is a viable option to assist in the care of patients with heart failure, albeit in a restricted capacity. The results inform the development of a social robotic intervention for patients with heart failure, including improving social robot efficiencies and increasing their uptake, while protecting patients' and providers' best interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Bouchard
- University of Ottawa Heart Institute, 40 Ruskin Street, Ottawa, K1Y 4W7 ON, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, 75 Laurier Ave E., Ottawa, K1N 6N5 ON, Canada
| | - Peter P Liu
- University of Ottawa Heart Institute, 40 Ruskin Street, Ottawa, K1Y 4W7 ON, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, 75 Laurier Ave E., Ottawa, K1N 6N5 ON, Canada
| | - Kerstin Dautenhahn
- Faculty of Engineering, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave W., Waterloo, N2L 3G1 ON, Canada
| | - Jess G Fiedorowicz
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, 75 Laurier Ave E., Ottawa, K1N 6N5 ON, Canada
- Department of Mental Health, The Ottawa Hospital/Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Rd, Ottawa, K1H 8L6 ON, Canada
| | - Jenifar Afrin
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, 75 Laurier Ave E., Ottawa, K1N 6N5 ON, Canada
| | - Michael Dans
- University of Ottawa Heart Institute, 40 Ruskin Street, Ottawa, K1Y 4W7 ON, Canada
| | - Caroline McGuinty
- University of Ottawa Heart Institute, 40 Ruskin Street, Ottawa, K1Y 4W7 ON, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, 75 Laurier Ave E., Ottawa, K1N 6N5 ON, Canada
| | - Heather Tulloch
- University of Ottawa Heart Institute, 40 Ruskin Street, Ottawa, K1Y 4W7 ON, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, 75 Laurier Ave E., Ottawa, K1N 6N5 ON, Canada
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Mackie AS, Bravo-Jaimes K, Keir M, Sillman C, Kovacs AH. Access to Specialized Care Across the Lifespan in Tetralogy of Fallot. CJC PEDIATRIC AND CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE 2023; 2:267-282. [PMID: 38161668 PMCID: PMC10755796 DOI: 10.1016/j.cjcpc.2023.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Individuals living with tetralogy of Fallot require lifelong specialized congenital heart disease care to monitor for and manage potential late complications. However, access to cardiology care remains a challenge for many patients, as does access to mental health services, dental care, obstetrical care, and other specialties required by this population. Inequities in health care access were highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic and continue to exist. Paradoxically, many social factors influence an individual's need for care, yet inadvertently restrict access to it. These include sex and gender, being a member of a racial or ethnic historically excluded group, lower educational attainment, lower socioeconomic status, living remotely from tertiary care centres, transportation difficulties, inadequate health insurance, occupational instability, and prior experiences with discrimination in the health care setting. These factors may coexist and have compounding effects. In addition, many patients believe that they are cured and unaware of the need for specialized follow-up. For these reasons, lapses in care are common, particularly around the time of transfer from paediatric to adult care. The lack of trained health care professionals for adults with congenital heart disease presents an additional barrier, even in higher income countries. This review summarizes challenges regarding access to multiple domains of specialized care for individuals with tetralogy of Fallot, with a focus on the impact of social determinants of health. Specific recommendations to improve access to care within Canadian and American systems are offered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew S. Mackie
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Stollery Children’s Hospital, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Katia Bravo-Jaimes
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | - Michelle Keir
- Southern Alberta Adult Congenital Heart Clinic, Libin Cardiovascular Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Christina Sillman
- Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program, Sutter Heart and Vascular Institute, Sacramento, California, USA
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Kaseweter K, Nazemi M, Gregoire N, Louw WF, Walsh Z, Holtzman S. Physician perspectives on chronic pain management: barriers and the use of eHealth in the COVID-19 era. BMC Health Serv Res 2023; 23:1131. [PMID: 37864210 PMCID: PMC10588239 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-10157-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic pain is a highly prevalent and disabling condition which is often undertreated and poorly managed in the community. The emergence of COVID-19 has further complicated pain care, with an increased prevalence of chronic pain and mental health comorbidities, and burnout among physicians. While the pandemic has led to a dramatic increase in virtual health care visits, the uptake of a broader range of eHealth technologies remains unclear. The present study sought to better understand physicians' current needs and barriers in providing effective pain care within the context of COVID-19, as well as gauge current use, interest, and ongoing barriers to eHealth implementation. METHODS A total of 100 practicing physicians in British Columbia, Canada, completed a brief online survey. RESULTS The sample was comprised of physicians practicing in rural and urban areas (rural = 48%, urban = 42%; both = 10%), with the majority (72%) working in family practice. The most prominent perceived barriers to providing chronic pain care were a lack of interdisciplinary treatment and allied health care for patients, challenges related to opioid prescribing and management, and a lack of time to manage the complexities of chronic pain. Moreover, despite expressing considerable interest in eHealth for chronic pain management (82%), low adoption rates were observed for several technologies. Specifically, only a small percentage of the sample reported using eHealth for the collection of intake data (21%), patient-reported outcomes (14%), and remote patient monitoring (26%). The most common perceived barriers to implementation were cost, complexity, and unfamiliarity with available options. CONCLUSIONS Findings provide insight into physicians' ongoing needs and barriers in providing effective pain management during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the potential for eHealth technologies to help address barriers in pain care, and strong interest from physicians, enhanced useability, education and training, and funding are likely required to achieve successful implementation of a broader range of eHealth technologies in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberley Kaseweter
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, 3333 University Way, Kelowna, BC, V1V 1V7, Canada.
| | - Mark Nazemi
- Clinical and Wellbeing Solutions, Thrive Health Inc, 200 - 116 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC, V6B 1G8, Canada
| | - Nina Gregoire
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, 3333 University Way, Kelowna, BC, V1V 1V7, Canada
| | - W Francois Louw
- Department of Family Practice, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada
- Bill Nelems Pain and Research Centre, 309-2755 Tutt St, Kelowna, BC, V1Y 0G1, Canada
| | - Zach Walsh
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, 3333 University Way, Kelowna, BC, V1V 1V7, Canada
| | - Susan Holtzman
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, 3333 University Way, Kelowna, BC, V1V 1V7, Canada
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Leung T, Burton L, Loewen P, Wilson R, Singh S, Moroz L, Andrade JG. Patients' Experiences With the Fit of Virtual Atrial Fibrillation Care During the Pandemic: Qualitative Descriptive Study. JMIR Cardio 2023; 7:e41548. [PMID: 36716096 PMCID: PMC9926347 DOI: 10.2196/41548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In-person health care has been the standard model of care delivery for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Despite the growing use of remote technology, virtual health care has received limited formal study in populations with AF. Understanding the virtual care experiences of patients in specialized AF clinics is essential to inform future planning of AF clinic care. OBJECTIVE This qualitative descriptive study aimed to understand patients' virtual AF clinic care experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS Participants were recruited from a pool of patients who were receiving care from an AF clinic and who were enrolled in a larger survey study. A total of 8 virtual focus groups (n=30) were conducted in 2 waves between March 2021 and May 2021. Facilitators used a semistructured discussion guide to ask participants questions about their experiences of virtual care and the perceived quality of virtual care and technology support. Three team members initially open coded group data to create a preliminary coding framework. As the analysis progressed, with subsequent focus groups, the code clusters were refined. RESULTS The participants were primarily male (21/30, 70%), aged ≥65 years (20/30, 67%), and college graduates (22/30, 73%). Patients found virtual care to be highly beneficial. Central to their experiences of virtual care was its fit or lack of fit with their health needs, which was integrally connected to communication effectiveness and their preferred virtual care future. Practical benefits included flexibility, convenience, and time and cost savings of virtual care. Virtual care fit occurred for small, quick, and mundane issues (eg, medication refills) but was suboptimal for new and more complex issues that patients thought warranted an in-person visit. Fit often reflected the effectiveness of communication between patient and provider and that of in-clinic follow-up. There was near-complete agreement among participants on the acceptability of virtual communication with their providers in addressing their needs, but this depended on adequate reciprocal communication. Without the benefit of in-person physical assessments, patients were uncertain and lacked confidence in communicating the needed, correct, and comprehensive information. Finally, participants described concerns related to ongoing virtual care with recommendations for their preferred future using a hybrid model of care and integrating patient-reported data (ie, blood pressure measurements) in virtual care delivery. CONCLUSIONS Virtual care from a specialty AF clinic provides practical benefits for patients, but they must be weighed against the need for virtual care's fit with patients' needs and problems. The stability and complexity of patients' health needs, their management, and their perceptions of communication effectiveness with providers and clinics must be considered in decisions about appointment modality. Patients' recommendations for future virtual care through use of hybrid models together with systems for data sharing have the potential to optimize fit.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lindsay Burton
- Faculty of Health and Social Development, School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, Okanagan, Kelowna, BC, Canada
| | - Peter Loewen
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Centre for Cardiovascular Innovation, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Ryan Wilson
- Faculty of Health and Social Development, School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, Okanagan, Kelowna, BC, Canada
| | - Sarah Singh
- Faculty of Health and Social Development, School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, Okanagan, Kelowna, BC, Canada
| | - Lana Moroz
- Atrial Fibrillation Clinic, Royal Columbian Hospital, New Westminster, BC, Canada
| | - Jason G Andrade
- Centre for Cardiovascular Innovation, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Montreal Heart Institute, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
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Gabriela Lima de Melo G, Crystal A, Renee K, Nicole S, Paul O. Developing a group-based virtual education curriculum for cardiac rehabilitation and the associated toolkit to support implementation in Canada and across the globe. Heart Lung 2023; 57:80-94. [PMID: 36084400 DOI: 10.1016/j.hrtlng.2022.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/20/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To overcome the many barriers faced by the long-lasting pandemic, the development of new ways to deliver cardiac rehabilitation (CR)'s components was needed. OBJECTIVE This mixed-methods study describes the process to create a virtual education curriculum and assess the level of user engagement and acceptability in CR participants. METHODS A 4-phase approach was used to develop the new virtual education curriculum for CR and collect feedback regarding patients' engagement with and acceptability of the curriculum in a convenience sample of 80 CR participants. Data were analyzed using a reflexive thematic analysis approach and mapped to the evidence-based implementation strategies, followed by stakeholder engagement. Considering all information gathered and applying best practices in patient education and curriculum development, a 16-week virtual education curriculum was established. RESULTS Five themes were identified on how the current education could be improved: focus on self-management, emphasize emotional wellbeing, improve facilitation, incorporate existing resources, and improve content flow. The recommendations associated with each theme informed the new curriculum and a tailored implementation plan to support the use of virtual education as part of routine care within the program. A toolkit that included a screening tool for comfort with/access to technology, patient-centered manuals with weekly learning plans, and a facilitator's manual was created. Overall, all recommended weekly education was completed by more than 70% of the participants, with greater acceptability. CONCLUSIONS The present study offers an example of a collaborative approach to tailoring strategies for the development of a new group-based virtual education model of CR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghisi Gabriela Lima de Melo
- Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation Program, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, 347 Rumsey Road, Toronto, Ontario M4G 1R7, Canada.
| | - Aultman Crystal
- Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation Program, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, 347 Rumsey Road, Toronto, Ontario M4G 1R7, Canada
| | - Konidis Renee
- Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation Program, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, 347 Rumsey Road, Toronto, Ontario M4G 1R7, Canada
| | - Sandison Nicole
- Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation Program, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, 347 Rumsey Road, Toronto, Ontario M4G 1R7, Canada
| | - Oh Paul
- Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation Program, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, 347 Rumsey Road, Toronto, Ontario M4G 1R7, Canada
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