ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: There are concerns in Europe regarding the service provision and accessibility of multidisciplinary cardiac rehabilitation (MDCR) in general, and particularly in ambulatory settings. This paper analyses the utilization of outpatient MDCR and its determinants after cardiac revascularization or valve surgery in Belgium. METHODS: Claims rehabilitation data for all patients discharged in 2007 after a percutaneous cardiac intervention or cardiac surgery were available from the Belgian Common Sickness Funds Agency. Logistic regressions were performed to identify patients demographic and socioeconomic characteristics associated with the uptake of outpatient MDCR during the year following the hospital discharge. RESULTS: A total of 29,021 patients were included. During the hospitalization for the cardiac procedure, 44% were offered inpatient MDCR. After discharge, only 15.6% followed at least one session of outpatient MDCR. The chance of attending outpatient MDCR was lower for female, disabled, and older patients, as well as unemployed patients. The absence of an authorized MDCR centre in the neighbourhood of the patient's residence decreased the chance of attending outpatient MDCR, while living in a neighbourhood with a high education and income level increased this probability. CONCLUSION: These results confirm the low rates of MDCR attendance found in a previous study performed by the European Association of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation. The study shows specific patient groups that should be targeted in priority, i.e. women, elderly, unemployed patients, disabled persons, and patients with a low socioeconomic status.
