The Systematic Development of a Nursing Intervention Aimed at Increasing Enrollment in Cardiac Rehabilitation for Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients

The content and characteristics of face-to-face interventions to encourage patients' enrollment in cardiac rehabilitation; a scoping review

PURPOSE

To provide an overview of the content and characteristics of face-to-face interventions to encourage enrollment in exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR).

METHODS

Following a published protocol describing the methods, six databases were searched. The search was limited to studies published from January 2000 to December 2021. Two reviewers independently performed study selection and data extraction.

RESULTS

5583 studies were identified and 20 studies with a variety of study designs met the inclusion criteria. Eight studies specified important content in face-to-face interventions to be: Education, problem-solving, support of autonomy, exploring reasons for change, emotional and cognitive support while showing understanding. Studies targeting patients' experiences used motivational interviewing and addressed worries and anticipated difficulties. Intention to attend, CR barriers, practical barriers, exercise self-efficacy, and patients asking questions supported enrollment. Reassurance could lead to nonattendance if patients had a high degree of worry and distress.

CONCLUSION

Face-to-face interventions are important to support patients' enrollment in CR and should integrate a person-centered dialogue exploring reasons for change and providing support to overcome barriers. Focus on the patients' perspectives, the mechanisms of change, and the evaluation of the intervention to inform implementation should be further explored.Implications for RehabilitationIn-hospital face-to-face interventions support enrollment in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in patients with ischemic heart disease.This study suggests that individual worries and barriers toward CR should be jointly explored while considering patients' capacity for making choices as well as their vulnerability.Patients should be encouraged to ask questions.A too strong focus on reassurance and problem-solving can impede enrollment.

A Systematic Review of Interventions With an Educational Component Aimed at Increasing Enrollment and Participation in Cardiac Rehabilitation

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to systematically review the impact and characteristics of interventions with an educational component designed to improve enrollment and participation in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) among patients with cardiovascular disease.

REVIEW METHODS

Five electronic databases were searched from data inception to February 2023. Randomized controlled trials and controlled, cohort, and case-control studies were considered for inclusion. Title, abstract, and full text of records were screened by two independent reviewers. The quality of included studies was rated using the Mixed Methods Assessment Tool. Results were analyzed in accordance with the Synthesis Without Meta-analysis reporting guideline.

RESULTS

From 7601 initial records, 13 studies were included, six of which were randomized controlled trials ("high" quality = 53%). Two studies evaluated interventions with an educational component for health care providers (multidisciplinary team) and 11 evaluated interventions for patient participants (n = 2678). These interventions were delivered in a hybrid (n = 6; 46%), in-person (n = 4; 30%), or virtual (n = 3; 23%) environment, mainly by nurses (n = 4; 30%) via discussion and orientation. Only three studies described the inclusion of printed or electronic materials (eg, pamphlets) to support the education. Eleven of 12 studies reported that patients who participated in interventions with an educational component or were cared for by health care providers who were educated about CR benefits (inhospital and/or after discharge) were more likely to enroll and participate in CR.

CONCLUSION

Interventions with an educational component for patients or health care providers play an important role in increasing CR enrollment and participation and should be pursued. Studies investigating the effects of such interventions in people from ethnic minority groups and living in low-and-middle-income countries, as well as the development of standard educational materials are recommended.

Facilitating or getting in the way? The effect of clinicians' knowledge, values and beliefs on referral and participation

BACKGROUND

Despite the compelling evidence of the benefits of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) on risk factor modification, quality of life and mortality reduction, a significant proportion of eligible patients are not referred or do not participate. Factors influencing CR referral and participation are complex and are likely patient, referral system and clinician-related. Little is known about clinician-related factors, which include attitudes, values and beliefs towards CR, or how these factors affect patient referral and attendance. This review examines the current evidence in the literature in relation to clinicians' attitudes, values and beliefs about CR.

METHODS

A review of the literature was conducted on studies in relation to clinicians' attitudes, values and beliefs toward CR. An expert consensus methodology was used to develop the concepts presented in this paper.

RESULTS

Besides guidelines, a range of other factors influence clinicians' view about CR. This review suggests that clinicians lacking cardiac qualifications may have limited knowledge and awareness of CR and its benefits. Low agreement among clinicians on who is more likely to benefit from CR was also identified. Clinicians' personal lifestyle and health belief, the availability and quality of local the CR programme, and the lack of a standard administrative process of referral can also hinder the referral of patients to CR.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinician-related factors are important to consider in relation to CR referral and participation. Education for clinicians, discussion of local services and the support of an efficacious system at programme and organisation levels are essential.

Randomized controlled trial of tailored nursing interventions to improve cardiac rehabilitation enrollment

BACKGROUND

Short hospital stays for patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACSs) reduce the opportunity for risk factor intervention during admission. After discharge, cardiac rehabilitation can decrease the recurrence of coronary events by up to 25%. However, it remains underused.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to determine whether a nursing intervention focused on individual ACS patients' perceptions of their disease and treatment would increase rehabilitation enrollment after discharge.

METHOD

A total of 242 ACS patients admitted to a specialized tertiary cardiac center were randomized to either the intervention or usual care (n = 121 in both groups). The intervention included one nurse-patient meeting before discharge with 2 additional contacts over the 10 days after discharge (mean duration = 40 minutes per contact). The primary outcome was enrollment in a free rehabilitation program offered to all participants 6 weeks after discharge. Secondary outcomes included illness perceptions; family support; anxiety level; medication adherence; and cardiac risk factors including lack of exercise, smoking, body mass index, and diet.

RESULTS

The sample was composed of a majority of male, married workers who experienced a myocardial infarction or unstable angina without severe complications. The mean hospital stay in both groups was 3.6 days. There was a significantly higher rate of rehabilitation enrollment in the intervention group (45%) than in the control group (24%; p = .001). For the secondary outcomes, only the personal control dimension of illness perceptions was improved significantly with the intervention.

DISCUSSION

Progressive, individualized interventions by nurses resulted in greater rehabilitation enrollment, thereby potentially improving long-term outcome.

Clinical research nursing: a critical resource in the national research enterprise

Translational clinical research has emerged as an important priority for the national research enterprise, with a clearly stated mandate to more quickly deliver prevention strategies, treatments and cures based on scientific innovations to the public. Within this national effort, a lack of consensus persists concerning the need for clinical nurses with expertise and specialized training in study implementation and the delivery of care to research participants. This paper reviews efforts to define and document the role of practicing nurses in implementing studies and coordinating clinical research in a variety of clinical settings, and differentiates this clinical role from the role of nurses as scientists and principal investigators. We propose an agenda for building evidence that having nurses provide and coordinate study treatments and procedures can potentially improve research efficiency, participant safety, and the quality of research data. We also provide recommendations for the development of the emerging specialty of clinical research nursing.