TY - JOUR
T1 - Expanding access to telehealth in Australian cardiac rehabilitation services
T2 - a national survey of barriers, enablers, and uptake
AU - Thomas, Emma E.
AU - Cartledge, Susie
AU - Murphy, Barbara
AU - Abell, Bridget
AU - Gallagher, Robyn
AU - Astley, Carolyn
AU - Australian Cardiac Rehabilitation COVID-19 Impact Group
AU - Cameron, Jan
AU - Jackson, Alun
AU - Ferry, Cate
AU - Bourne, Carmel
AU - Gray, Kim
AU - McIvor, Dawn
AU - Inglis, Sally
AU - Storen, Anna
AU - Sanderson, Sue
AU - Zecchin, Robert
AU - Verdicchio, Christian
PY - 2024/1
Y1 - 2024/1
N2 - Aims Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is traditionally delivered in-person; however, the COVID-19 pandemic provided impetus for alternative offerings such as telehealth. We investigated uptake, barriers, and enablers in a national survey during the pandemic in Australia. Methods and ResultsWe surveyed CR programmes between April and June 2021 using professional association networks. The anonymous online and results questionnaire addressed programme characteristics, COVID-19 impacts, and barriers to and enablers of telehealth use. Open-text responses were coded and presented as themes. In total, there were responses from 105 programmes (33% response rate). All states and geographical areas were represented. The use of every modality of telehealth care (telephone, video conferencing, text messaging, and web-based) increased significantly during and after COVID with a strong preference for telephone (85% of services). Respondents perceived video (53%) and telephone (47%) formats as safe and effective for delivering CR. The most common barriers to telehealth were difficulties conducting assessments and reduced engagement with patients. Prominent enablers were increased reach and reduced patient barriers to CR access. Conclusion Telehealth use by CR programmes increased during the peak pandemic period. However, additional support is required to ensure that telehealth services can be maintained. There is considerable potential to increase the reach of CR by embedding telehealth into existing models of care.
AB - Aims Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is traditionally delivered in-person; however, the COVID-19 pandemic provided impetus for alternative offerings such as telehealth. We investigated uptake, barriers, and enablers in a national survey during the pandemic in Australia. Methods and ResultsWe surveyed CR programmes between April and June 2021 using professional association networks. The anonymous online and results questionnaire addressed programme characteristics, COVID-19 impacts, and barriers to and enablers of telehealth use. Open-text responses were coded and presented as themes. In total, there were responses from 105 programmes (33% response rate). All states and geographical areas were represented. The use of every modality of telehealth care (telephone, video conferencing, text messaging, and web-based) increased significantly during and after COVID with a strong preference for telephone (85% of services). Respondents perceived video (53%) and telephone (47%) formats as safe and effective for delivering CR. The most common barriers to telehealth were difficulties conducting assessments and reduced engagement with patients. Prominent enablers were increased reach and reduced patient barriers to CR access. Conclusion Telehealth use by CR programmes increased during the peak pandemic period. However, additional support is required to ensure that telehealth services can be maintained. There is considerable potential to increase the reach of CR by embedding telehealth into existing models of care.
KW - Cardiac rehabilitation
KW - Health service delivery
KW - SARS-CoV-2
KW - Telehealth
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85183707247&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1093/ehjdh/ztad055
DO - 10.1093/ehjdh/ztad055
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85183707247
SN - 2634-3916
VL - 5
SP - 21
EP - 29
JO - European Heart Journal - Digital Health
JF - European Heart Journal - Digital Health
IS - 1
ER -
