Current Return-to-Work Outcomes and Barriers Among Patients With Cardiovascular Disease Undergoing Cardiac...

Many patients with cardiovascular disease show no obvious physical disability after hospital discharge, making it difficult to recognize functional decline and adapt appropriate accommodations. Therefore, this study examined return-to-work (RTW) outcomes and barriers after hospital discharge.

We conducted a questionnaire among patients aged 18-64 years who underwent inpatient cardiac rehabilitation and were discharged between January 2018 and March 2023. Of 133 eligible patients, 54 responded (response rate 41%). Respondents were classified as: (1) returned to their original job; (2) returned to a different job; and (3) did not return to any job. The overall RTW rate was 96%, with 92% returning to their original job within 3 months. However, 81% of the respondents reported anxiety, mainly about physical strain and limited workplace understanding. Physicians were the most frequently consulted professionals, while other healthcare providers were rarely sought for advice.

Although most patients successfully returned to work, substantial anxiety persisted regarding workplace reintegration. A structured vocational support system is required, wherein healthcare providers proactively identify at-risk patients and deliver comprehensive guidance to support sustainable RTW outcomes.