Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 6, 2026

A Novel Digital Platform for a Monitored Home-based Cardiac Rehabilitation Program
Published on: April 19, 2019
'I don't know why they don't come': barriers to participation in cardiac rehabilitation
Michelle L DiGiacomo1, Sandra C Thompson, Julie S Smith
1Centre for Cardiovascular and Chronic Care, Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University and University of Technology Sydney, Level 7, Building 10, 235-253 Jones Street, Ultimo NSW 2007, Australia. m.digiacomo@curtin.edu.au
Objectives:
To describe health professionals' perceptions of Aboriginal people's access to cardiac rehabilitation (CR) services and the role of institutional barriers in implementing the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) guidelines Strengthening Cardiac Rehabilitation and Secondary Prevention for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Design:
Qualitative study.
Setting:
Metropolitan and rural tertiary and community-based public CR services and Aboriginal health services in WA.
Participants:
Thirty-eight health professionals working in the CR setting.
Method:
Semistructured interviews were undertaken with 28 health professionals at public CR services and 10 health professionals from Aboriginal Medical Services in WA. The participants represented 17 services (10 rural, 7 metropolitan) listed in the WA Directory of CR services.
Results:
Emergent themes included (1) a lack of awareness of Aboriginal CR patients' needs; (2) needs related to cultural awareness training for health professionals; and (3) Aboriginal health staff facilitate access for Aboriginal patients.
Conclusions:
Understanding the institutional barriers to Aboriginal participation in CR is necessary to recommend viable solutions. Promoting cultural awareness training, recruiting Aboriginal health workers and monitoring participation rates are important in improving health outcomes.
Related Concept Videos
Barriers to Effective Communication II
Cultural barriers:
Differences in values, beliefs, religion, knowledge, and tradition can significantly impact communication. Awareness of nonverbal cues is critical, especially when conversing with a patient from a different culture. What appears appropriate in one culture may be inappropriate in another.
Semantic barriers:
As a result of their tendency to use...
Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures
Exercise and Cardiovascular Response
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...
Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology
Cardiomyopathy V: Interprofessional Care
Heart Failure I: Introduction
