A Comparison of Barrier Factors between Hospitals with and without Cardiac Rehabilitation Programs in Korea: A...

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Healthcare Management
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Low patient enrollment in cardiac rehabilitation programs (CRP) persists globally.
• Limited availability of hospitals offering CRP, even in developed nations, hinders access.
• Percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) are common, yet post-procedure rehabilitation is underutilized.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate barriers to CRP participation and provision.
• To compare challenges faced by hospitals with and without existing CRP.
• To identify factors influencing the low uptake of cardiac rehabilitation.

Main Methods:

• A survey was distributed to 607 specialists across 164 hospitals performing PCI.
• Questionnaires were sent via post or email, achieving a 36.9% specialist response rate.
• Hospital response rates varied: 100% for hospitals with CRP and 72.7% for those without.

Main Results:

• Hospitals with CRP cited patient referral, transportation, and cost as primary barriers.
• Hospitals without CRP identified broader issues, including equipment, space, workforce, and budget limitations.
• Physiatrists showed a higher response rate (64.1%) compared to cardiologists (28.9%) and cardiac surgeons (24.5%).

Conclusions:

• Significant barriers exist for both CRP provision and patient access.
• Hospitals lacking CRP face more substantial infrastructural and financial challenges.
• Tailored governmental support systems are crucial to enhance CRP performance and patient participation.