Cardiac Rehabilitation Online Pilot Extending Reach of Cardiac Rehabilitation

Background: While cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is recommended for all patients after an acute cardiac event, limitations exist in reach. Objective: The purpose of the current study was to develop and pilot a flexible online CR program based on self-management principles "Help Yourself Online.'' Methods: The program was designed as an alternative to group-based CR as well as to complement traditional CR. The program was based on existing self-management resources developed previously by the Heart Research Centre. Twenty-one patients admitted to Cabrini Health for an acute cardiac event were recruited to test the program. The program was evaluated using qualitative and quantitative methods. Results: Quantitative results demonstrated that patients believed the program would assist them in their self-management. Qualitative evaluation, using focus group and interview methods with 15 patients, showed that patients perceived the online CR approach to be a useful instrument for self-management. Conclusions: Broader implications of the data include the acceptability of the intervention, timing of intervention delivery, and patients' desire for additional online community support.