Grace, Sherry L.Heald, Fiorella Andani2023-08-042023-08-042023-08-04https://hdl.handle.net/10315/41279Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) utilization is sub-optimal, especially in women, despite the abundant evidence of its benefits. This thesis aimed to understand CR utilization across the acute, outpatient, and maintenance phases, with a focus on women. First, an observational study evaluated an evidence-based online course for inpatient cardiac healthcare providers on promoting patient participation in CR. The course was effective in increasing CR knowledge, self-efficacy, and encouragement practices among providers. Second, a retrospective cohort study compared patient characteristics, utilization, and outcomes in women in mixed-sex, women-only, and home-based CR models. While caution is warranted, the benefit of women-only CR was not evident; therefore, whether full gender-tailored programs are advantageous requires further investigation. Finally, the effects of maintenance phase CR were reviewed in women and men using subgroup meta-analyses. Limited data suggested maintenance CR improves cardiorespiratory fitness and lipids in women and men, but anthropometrics only in men.Author owns copyright, except where explicitly noted. Please contact the author directly with licensing requests.Health sciencesPublic healthMedicineElectronic Thesis or Dissertation2023-08-04Cardiac rehabilitationSecondary preventionCardiovascular diseaseCardiac outcomesCardiovascular risk factorsHealthcare utilizationHealthcare providerProgram adherenceHealth promotionWomenSex differencesGender-tailored program