Perceptions of cardiology administrators about cardiac rehabilitation in South America and the Caribbean

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Date

2017-07

Authors

Lima de Melo Ghisi, Gabriela
Britto, Raquel
Servio, Thaianne Cavalcante
ANCHIQUE SANTOS, CLAUDIA VICTORIA
Fernandez, Rosalia
Rivas Estany, Eduardo
Santibañez, Claudio
GONZALEZ, GRACIELA
Burdiat, Gerard
Lopez-Jimenez, Francisco

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins

Abstract

Background:

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs can address the cardiovascular disease epidemic in South America. However, there are factors limiting CR access at the patient, provider, and system levels. The latter 2 have not been extensively studied. The objective of this study was to investigate cardiology administrator's awareness and knowledge of CR and perceptions regarding resources for CR.

Methods:

This study was cross-sectional and observational in design. Cardiology administrators from South American and Caribbean countries were invited to participate by members of a professional association. Participants completed a questionnaire online. Descriptive analysis was performed and differences in CR knowledge, awareness, perception, and attitudes regarding CR were described overall, by institution funding source (private vs public) and presence of within-institution CR (yes vs no).

Results:

Most of the 55 respondents from 8 countries perceived CR as important for outpatient care (mean ± SD = 4.83 ± 0.38 out of 5; higher scores indicating more positive perceptions), with benefits including reduced hospital readmissions (4.31 ± 0.48) and length of stay (4.64 ± 0.71 days), not only for cardiac patients but for those with other vascular conditions (4.34 ± 0.68 days). Those working in public institutions (50.9%) and in institutions without a CR program (25.0%) were not as aware of, and less likely to value, CR services (P < .05). Only 13.2% of programs had dedicated funding.

Conclusions:

Similar to findings from high-income settings, cardiology administrators and cardiologists in South America value CR as part of cardiac patient care, but funding and availability of programs restrict capacity to deliver these services.

Description

This is a non-final version of an article published in final form in Lima de Melo Ghisi, G., Britto, R., Servio, T. C., Anchique Santos, C. V., Fernandez, R., Rivas-Estany, E., Santibañez, C., Gonzalez, G., Burdiat, G., Lopez-Jimenez, F., Haddad Herdy, A., & Grace, S. L. (2017). Perceptions of Cardiology Administrators About Cardiac Rehabilitation in South America and the Caribbean. Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Prevention, 37(4), 268–273. https://doi.org/10.1097/HCR.0000000000000233

Keywords

Hospital administrators, Attitude of health personnel, Outpatient health services, Rehabilitation centres, Cardiac care facilities

Citation

Lima de Melo Ghisi, G., Britto, R., Servio, T. C., Anchique Santos, C. V., Fernandez, R., Rivas-Estany, E., Santibañez, C., Gonzalez, G., Burdiat, G., Lopez-Jimenez, F., Haddad Herdy, A., & Grace, S. L. (2017). Perceptions of Cardiology Administrators About Cardiac Rehabilitation in South America and the Caribbean. Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Prevention, 37(4), 268–273. https://doi.org/10.1097/HCR.0000000000000233