Perspectives of cardiac rehabilitation staff on strategies used to assess, monitor and review – a descriptive qualitative study

Robyn Gallagher, Sue Randall, Stella H.M. Lin, Janice Smith, Alexander M. Clark, Lis Neubeck

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal Articlepeer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: The mechanisms contributing to the success of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) are poorly understood and may include assessment, monitoring and review activities enabled by continuity of care and this is investigated in this study. Objectives: To identify active assessment components of CR. Methods: A qualitative study using focus groups and individual interviews. CR staff (n = 39) were recruited via professional association email and network contacts and organised into major themes. Results: CR staff assessment strategies and timely actions undertaken provided a sophisticated post-discharge safety net for patients. Continuity of care enabled detection of adverse health indicators, of which medication issues were prominent. Interventions were timely and personalised and therefore likely to impact outcomes, but seldom documented or reported and thus invisible to audit. Conclusion: CR staff assessment and intervention activities provide an unrecognised safety net of activities enabled by continuity of care, potentially contributing to the effectiveness of CR.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)471-476
Number of pages6
JournalHeart and Lung
Volume47
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Sep. 2018

Keywords

  • Adverse health indicators
  • Assessment
  • Cardiac rehabilitation
  • Complex intervention
  • Continuity
  • Mechanism

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