Background and Aims:

The purpose of the survey was to determine current program characteristics, components and current practice standards across Canadian Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR) sites. Information will assist the Winnipeg CR program to modify/improve upon its program delivery and service. Data from the survey will also facilitate the Winnipeg Program to evaluate current practice and to potentially compare patient outcomes with similar facilities across Canada. The purpose of this research paper is to report on the overall program descriptions and components of CR programs in Canada.

Methods and Materials:

The University of Manitoba Research Ethics Board approved the research project. The Canadian Association of Cardiac Rehabilitation (CACR) provided a mailing list of current CACR members to the study coordinator. Other CR sites were identified from searching the Internet. In September 2005, 118 surveys were mailed to eligible CR programs across Canada. The mailed survey packages included a cover letter, survey, and a postage-paid, self-addressed envelope. A small gift incentive was used to facilitate the return of completed surveys. Reminder letters were mailed two weeks after the initial mail out. The structure of the entire survey included six sections dealing with program description, medical, psychological/behavioral, dietary education, exercise, and social and vocational support.

Results:

The response rate was 62% (73/118). The majority of the CR programs were hospital based (61.8%) and funded from existing operating budgets. Costs to patients varied across sites. There were no personal costs to patients at (67.1%) of the CR programs. For CR programs that had patients` costs; the average fee to participants was $166.67 with a range of $5.00 to $850.00. The average length of the CR programs was 4Y5 months. The 5 top professionals employed included: dietitians (84.9%), nurses (79.5%), kinesiologists (50.7%), pharmacists (45.2%) and physiotherapists (43.8%). On average, CR programs employed 5.48 professions with a range of 1 to 11. The 5 topics most commonly offered included exercise (100%), dietary education (94.5%), medical (97.7%), psychological/behavioral (79.2%), and social and vocational (65.8%). The majority of CR programs use the Canadian Association of Cardiac Rehabilitation as the primary resource for standards and guidelines. The two most common recognized designations/training for employed staff members were Advanced Cardiac Life Support Program (70.1%) and the American College of Sports Medicine exercise specialist (46.3%).

Conclusions:

This is the first attempt to systematically survey CR programs in Canada. A comprehensive CR program inventory may facilitate local program planning, quality improvement initiatives, and a means for potential benchmarking with comparable facilities. This information may also provide direction for future program development and expansion within the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority.

Section Description

For more information, contact Marilyn Thomas (204) 488-5854