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Early results on the efficacy and acceptability of a cardiac rehabilitation programme that transitioned to a fully virtual platform with adoption of wearable technology for covid era
European Heart Journal ; 42(SUPPL 1):2688, 2021.
Article in English | EMBASE | ID: covidwho-1554011
ABSTRACT
Background/

Introduction:

Cardiaovascular prevention/rehabilitation programmes continue to reduce cardiovascular mortality even with contemporary treatment. During covid the majority of face-to-face programmes were suspended but these services have never been more crucial as control of cardiovascular risk factors can mitigate the morbidity/mortality risk from covid. Programmes must now however be delivered in a way that reduces patient exposure. Here we describe how we rapidly transitioned our previously fully face to face cardiovascular prevention/programme to a completely virtual platform adopting Fitbit as wearable technology.

Methods:

The previously face-to-face initial assessment (IA) conducted by the multidisciplinary team (MDT) - nurse, dietician and physiotherapist is now delivered via video/phone as per patient preference. Patients are provided with equipment kits (tape measures, blood pressure monitors (BP), Fitbit smartwatches and Fibricheck app as required. The virtual IA includes assessment of Smoking habit, blood pressure (BP), heart rate, lipid profile and HbA1c (taken in community phlebotomy hub), cardioprotective medications, weight, BMI, waist circumference, Mediterranean Diet Score, functional capacity via the Duke Activity Status Index, habitual activity levels, risk stratification for exercise, hospital anxiety and depression scores (HADS) and quality of life (QOL). Patients receive education and tailored advice with SMART goals as well as a written care plan. The subsequent 12 programme is comprised of • Weekly virtual meeting with cardiologist to optimise BP/lipids and medications • Alternate weekly virtual coaching consultation by MDT for monitoring/ goal resetting • Alternate weekly video group education sessions on key cardiovascular health topics • Online educational videos filmed by the MDT Monitoring of physical activity (step count, active minutes) in real time via Fibit dashboard with personalised messages sent to patients via the Fitbit app • Provision of Fibricheck app via Fibit for rhythm assessment • End of programme (EOP) assessments are then also conducted virtually

Results:

Between April and November 2020 n=262 had a virtual IA (94% of those offered and n=114 (95% of those offered) attended an end of programme assessment. 64% were male and the mean age was 64.1 years. Acceptance of the Fitbit device was 72% of those offered. Table 1 below shows the main clinical and patient-reported outcomes in those attending both an IA and EOP with the data for the same 6 months the year prior (face to face programme) also for comparison. Programme satisfaction ratings were high with 85% rating the programme as excellent or very good.

Conclusions:

Transitioning a previously fully face to face cardiac rehabilitation programme to a wholly virtual platform was feasible and acceptable to patients. Early data analysis would suggest that the virtual programme achieves similar clinical and patient reported outcomes. (Figure Presented).
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Full text: Available Collection: Databases of international organizations Database: EMBASE Language: English Journal: European Heart Journal Year: 2021 Document Type: Article

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Full text: Available Collection: Databases of international organizations Database: EMBASE Language: English Journal: European Heart Journal Year: 2021 Document Type: Article