Improving Cardiac Rehabilitation Quality Through the International Cardiac Rehabilitation Registry

Cardiovascular diseases are a leading burden of morbidity, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is key to secondary prevention, though limited in LMIC. CR registries promote quality improvement (QImp), to support program augmentation. This thesis comprised a mixed-methods and a qualitative study assessing QImp within the International CR registry (ICRR) for LMIC. Descriptive and inductive-thematic analyses were applied. Study 1 focused on the development and implementation of ICRR’s Program Certification in LMICs. Five/5 CR programs ultimately achieved certification, with feasibility demonstrated. Four themes emerged from a focus group with 13 ICRR data stewards: motivation/benefits, logistics, the standards and suggestions. Study 2 explored ICRR-participating programs' QImp needs and evaluated registry support. Focus group with nine participants and 4 respondents providing written input revealed three themes related to facilitators, barriers and supports. Overall, these studies emphasize the importance of CR registries in supporting the quality of CR in LMIC.