Perspectives on barriers and facilitators to lifestyle change after cardiac events among patients in Saudi Arabia: a qualitative study

Understanding adaptive tasks in cardiac rehabilitation among patients with acute myocardial infarction: a qualitative study

BACKGROUND

While Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR) programs have shown effectiveness in improving cardiac outcomes, there is limited understanding of how patients perceive and adapt to these interventions. Furthermore, alternative modes of delivering CR that have received positive evaluations from participants remain underexplored, yet they have the potential to enhance CR uptake.

OBJECTIVES

To explore the patient experience in CR programmes following Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) and describe their adaptive processing.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This qualitative study was conducted at a nationally certified centre in China between July 2021 and September 2022, encompassing three stages: in-hospital, centre-based, and home-based CR programs. Purposive sampling was used to select eligible AMI patients for in-depth semi-structured interviews. The interview outline and analytical framework were aligned with the key concepts derived from the middle-range theory of adaptation to chronic illness and the normalization process theory. The findings were reported following the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research checklist.

RESULTS

Forty AMI patients were recruited. Four main themes describing the process of AMI patients normalizing CR intervention were identified, including (1) experiencing CR service driving by role's responsibilities, (2) engaging in collaborative relationship based on interpersonal trust, (3) exploring a personalized rehabilitation plan by complex integration, and (4) expecting a promised outcome to shape decision-making.

CONCLUSION

Integrated care interventions for AMI patients could benefit from a collaborative co-designed approach to ensure that CR interventions are normalized and fit into patients' daily lives. Organizational-level CR services should align with the rehabilitation needs and expectations of patients.

Comparative Analysis of Lifestyle Practices Between Diabetic Patients and Healthy Non-diabetic Individuals in the Saudi Population

BACKGROUND

The burden of diabetes mellitus in Saudi Arabia is considerable, with high prevalence rates affecting the population's health and healthcare resources. This situation necessitates attention from healthcare policymakers. The study aims to compare lifestyle practices between diabetic and non-diabetic individuals in Saudi Arabia to inform targeted health interventions.

OBJECTIVES

The primary aim is to compare lifestyle practices, including dietary habits, physical activity levels, and smoking habits, between diabetic and non-diabetic individuals in Saudi Arabia.

METHODS

A 12-month cross-sectional study was conducted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A total of 424 participants, evenly distributed across age, gender, and socioeconomic status, were enrolled. A total of 424 participants, balanced for age, gender, and socioeconomic status, were recruited. Data were collected via structured interviews employing a validated questionnaire. The King Fahad Medical City IRB approved the study. Informed consent was obtained from all participants.

RESULTS

The study found that diabetic individuals were more likely to be older, male, and sedentary (p < 0.001). They were also at a higher likelihood of being current smokers (p = 0.002) and consuming whole grains regularly. Non-diabetic individuals consumed more fruits and fast food and had more flexible meal schedules (p < 0.001). Both groups had similar levels of regular vegetable consumption. A significantly lower proportion of diabetics (40 individuals; 20%) engaged in moderate physical activity three to four days a week compared to non-diabetics (80 individuals; 36%), which was highly significant (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The study identified critical differences in lifestyle practices between diabetic and non-diabetic individuals in Saudi Arabia. These findings underscore the need for tailored health interventions to address the rising diabetes rates and promote healthier lifestyle practices among the Saudi population.