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Factors determining non-attendance at a cardiac rehabilitation programme following myocardial infarction
1Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Auckland.
Insights
Patients with lower education, socioeconomic status, and those living alone are less likely to attend cardiac rehabilitation after a myocardial infarction. Improving transport and scheduling may increase attendance rates.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Public Health
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Cardiac rehabilitation is crucial for patients post-myocardial infarction (MI).
- Patient non-attendance at outpatient programs remains a significant challenge.
- Understanding barriers to attendance is vital for program effectiveness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify factors associated with non-attendance in an outpatient cardiac rehabilitation program.
- To inform strategies for improving patient participation after a first MI.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 324 patients admitted for a first MI were identified.
- A questionnaire was mailed to assess patient characteristics and reasons for non-attendance.
- Data were analyzed to determine predictors of non-attendance.
Main Results:
- 65% of patients attended the cardiac rehabilitation program.
- Non-attenders were less educated, had lower socioeconomic status, and lived alone.
- Transport issues and inconvenient scheduling were primary reasons for non-attendance.
Conclusions:
- Lower education, socioeconomic status, and living alone are barriers to cardiac rehabilitation attendance.
- Implementing transport services and flexible scheduling could enhance program participation.
- Targeted interventions may improve cardiac rehabilitation uptake in at-risk populations.
Aim:
To identify factors contributing to patient nonattendance at an outpatient cardiac rehabilitation programme following hospital admission for a first myocardial infarction.
Methods:
Consecutive patients admitted over a two year period to the Auckland or Green Lane Hospital Coronary Care Units for a first myocardial infarction were identified. All patients had been invited to attend the cardiac rehabilitation programme during their admission. A questionnaire was mailed to all identified patients.
Results:
Overall 324 patients were identified with a mean age of 61 years, of whom 212 (65%) subsequently attended the cardiac rehabilitation programme. 220 of the 324 patients (68%) responded to the questionnaire. Univariate analysis revealed that non-attenders were less well educated (p <0.05), more often from a lower socioeconomic status (p<0.05) and lived alone (p<0.05). Non-attendance and withdrawal from the programme were most frequently related to transport and inconvenient scheduling.
Conclusions:
Patients with less education, lower socioeconomic status and patients living alone were less likely to attend a cardiac rehabilitation programme. Provision of a transport service and more flexible scheduling of the programme may improve attendance.