Evidence-informed development of women-focused cardiac rehabilitation education.

Gabriela Lima de Melo Ghisi, Andree-Anne Hebert, Paul Oh, Tracey Colella, Crystal Aultman, Carolina Carvalho, Rajni Nijhawan, Marie-Kristelle Ross, Sherry L Grace

Journal: Heart & lung : the journal of critical care 2024;64():14-23

PMID: 37984099

Full Text on Elsevier Science View on PubMed

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Despite their differential risk factor burden, context and often different forms of heart disease, cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs generally do not provide women with needed secondary prevention information specific to them.

OBJECTIVE

to co-design evidence-informed, theory-based comprehensive women-focused education, building from Health e-University's Cardiac College for CR.

METHODS

A multi-disciplinary, multi-stakeholder steering committee (N = 18) oversaw the four-phase development of the women-focused curriculum. Phase 1 involved a literature review on women's CR information needs and preferences, phase 2 a CR program needs assessment, phase 3 content development (including determining content and mode, assigning experts to create the content, plain language review and translation), and phase 4 will comprise evaluation and implementation. In phase 2, a focus group was conducted with Canadian CR providers; it was analyzed using Braun and Clarke's iterative approach.

RESULTS

Nineteen providers participated in the focus group, with four themes emerging: current status of education, challenges to delivering women-focused education, delivery modes and topical resources. Results were consistent with those from our related global survey, supporting saturation of themes. Co-designed educational materials included 19 videos. These were organized across 5 webpages in English and French, specific to tests and treatments, exercise, diet, psychosocial well-being, and self-management. Twelve corresponding session slide decks with notes for clinicians were created, to support program delivery in CR flexibly.

CONCLUSION

While further evaluation is underway, these open-access CR education resources will be disseminated for implementation, to support women in reducing their risk of cardiovascular sequelae.

Address: KITE - Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Canada; Department of Physical Therapy, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. Electronic address: [email protected].; Programme de Prévention Secondaire et Réadaptation Cardiovasculaire, Levis, Canada.; KITE - Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Canada; Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation Program, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada.; Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation Program, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada.; Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation Program, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada; Department of Medicine, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Canada.; KITE - Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Canada; Faculty of Health, York University, Toronto, Canada.

DOI: 10.1016/j.hrtlng.2023.11.004

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MeSH Terms: Humans, Female, Cardiac Rehabilitation, Canada, Heart Diseases, Surveys and Questionnaires