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Background/Objectives: Access to cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is contingent upon physician referrals, yet these are often inadequate, particularly in low-resource settings. This multi-method study aimed to translate, culturally adapt, and validate the Portuguese version of the Provider Attitudes toward CR and Referral (PACRR-P) scale, as well as to identify key factors influencing CR referral in a Latin American context for the first time. Methods: The PACRR was translated into Brazilian Portuguese through a rigorous process involving independent translation, back-translation, and expert panel review to ensure face, content, and cross-cultural validity. A total of 44 Brazilian physicians completed the questionnaire, allowing for an assessment of internal consistency, criterion validity, and convergent validity. Results: The findings confirmed the face, content, and cultural validity of the 20 translated items, with a mean item clarity rating of 4.8/5. The final version included 17 of the original 19 PACRR-P items, with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.73. Referral rates were significantly associated with over one-third of the PACRR-P items, preliminarily supporting the scale's criterion validity, while correlations with the ReCaRe scores further supported its convergent validity. The most prominent barriers to referral were a lack of familiarity with CR site locations, absence of a standard referral form, and lack of automatic referral processes. Conclusions: The PACRR's validity and reliability among Portuguese-speaking providers are preliminarily supported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims To evaluate a self-administered digital education resource for patients after a heart attack (adapted simplified Chinese version of Cardiac College™) on secondary prevention knowledge and health behaviour change outcomes. Methods and results Chinese immigrants recovering from a heart attack were recruited from cardiac rehabilitation programmes at four metropolitan tertiary hospitals. Participants provided access to Cardiac College™ (adapted simplified Chinese version), a self-learning secondary prevention virtual education resource over 4 weeks. The web-based resources include 9 booklets and 10 pre-recorded video education sessions. Assessments included health literacy, secondary prevention knowledge, self-management behaviours, self-reported physical activity, and a heart-healthy diet. Satisfaction, acceptability, and engagement were also assessed. From 81 patients screened, 67 were recruited, and 64 (95.5%) completed the study. The participants' mean age was 67.2 ± 8.1 years old, 81.2% were males, and the majority had no English proficiency (65.6%). Following the intervention, significant improvements were observed for secondary prevention knowledge overall and in all subdomains, with the most improvement occurring in medical, exercise, and psychological domains (P < 0.001). Dietary and self-management behaviours also improved significantly (P < 0.05). According to participants, the educational materials were engaging (100%), and the content was adequate (68.8%); however, 26.6% found the information overwhelming. Overall, 46.9% were highly satisfied with the resources. Conclusion A self-learning virtual patient-education package improved secondary prevention knowledge and self-care behaviour in Chinese immigrants after a heart attack. The culturally adapted version of Cardiac College™ offers an alternative education model where bilingual staff or translated resources are limited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To provide a critical assessment, summarize, and synthesize the evidence from studies using psychometrically validated questionnaires to assess the effects and benefits/barriers of physical exercise in hemodialysis patients. The search was performed on six electronic databases. It was conducted following the PRISMA statement and the PICO framework. The methodological quality was assessed using the MMAT. Were used the quality criteria for psychometric properties developed by Terwee et al. Overall, 70 studies were included, and 39 questionnaires identified, evaluating 13 outcomes. The quality of the psychometric properties of the questionnaires was not always described; only 13 presented positive ratings on > =6/9 properties. The most assessed measure was criterion validity, and the least assessed criteria was responsiveness. The most outcome measured by these questionnaires was quality of life using SF-36, followed by psychological health using the BDI. The DPEBBS was the only instrument identified that assessed the benefits and barriers of exercise. Quality of life and depression were the most frequent outcomes. Other measures contemplating physical, mental, cognitive performance, and especially of the perceptions benefits and barriers to exercise should be further investigated. We have clearly identified the need for more studies evaluating psychometric measures that have not been tested satisfactorily or hardly been tested at all. Reliable instruments, valid and structurally adequate were identified to support clinicians and researchers in measuring important outcomes in hemodialysis patients. Quality of life and depression were the most frequent outcomes with good research instruments. A gap was identified related to instruments that assess physical, mental, cognitive performance, and perceptions of benefits and barriers to exercise in hemodialysis patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Disease-related knowledge deficits are common in Chinese immigrants living in Western countries, putting them at risk of disease progression and mortality, particularly those with a coronary heart disease (CHD) diagnosis. However, no measurement instrument is available to assess CHD-related knowledge in this population. Objectives: The aim of this study was to culturally adapt and examine the psychometric properties of the short version of Coronary Artery Disease Education Questionnaire (CADE-Q SV) (simplified Chinese version) in Chinese immigrants with CHD. Methods: Mandarin-speaking people recruited from medical centers and cardiology clinics across metropolitan Sydney completed the 20-item CADE-Q SV (5 domains; potential scores: 0-20). Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach a. A subgroup (n = 40) repeated the survey 2 weeks later for test-retest reliability by intraclass correlation coefficient. Factor structure (confirmatory factor analysis) and discriminant (known-groups) validation using education and English proficiency (univariate general linear model) were also undertaken. Results: Participants (n = 202) had a mean (SD) age of 66.08 (10.93) years, 45.1% were male, and the mean (SD) total CADE-Q SV score was 13.07 (4.57). Reliability and consistency were good (intraclass correlation coefficient > 0.70; Cronbach a coefficients > 0.70, for total and per domain, respectively). The 5-domain structure was validated by confirmatory factor analysis. The scale demonstrated discriminant validity, with loweducation (P < .001) and lowEnglish proficiency (P = .017) associated with lower knowledge scores. Conclusion: The CADE-Q SV (simplified Chinese version) can be used as a valid and reliable instrument, either paper based or digital, to evaluate the CHD-related knowledge of Chinese immigrants. This scale can be adapted to other migrant populations in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of educational interventions and the relative effect of intervention duration on secondary prevention health behaviours in adults with coronary heart disease. Background: Patient education can reduce disease progression and improve outcomes. However, there is a lack of knowledge of its efficacy and the relative impact of education duration on health behaviour change in this population. Design: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. Methods: Seven electronic databases and grey literature were searched from Inception to July 2021. The review followed the PRISMA guidelines. This meta‐analysis was analysed in Comprehensive Meta‐Analysis version 3 software. Outcomes considered were disease knowledge and health behavioural outcomes. Data were pooled together with random‐effects models using the inverse‐variance method. The effect of education duration (<3 vs. ≥3 months) was examined by meta‐regressions. Results: In summary, 73 studies were included with a total of participants (n = 24,985) aged mean of 60.5 ± 5.7 years and mostly male (72.5%). Patient education improved all behaviours including disease knowledge at <6 and 6–12 months follow‐up, the likelihood of quitting smoking at <6, and 6–12 months, medication adherence at <6 and 6–12 months; physical activity and exercise participation at <6 and 6–12 months and healthy dietary behaviours, at <6 and 6–12 months. Furthermore, education programmes with a longer duration (≥3 months) improved disease knowledge and physical activity more than shorter programmes. Conclusion: Patient education for secondary prevention, in various delivery modes and intensities, improves multiple self‐reported health behaviours in patients with coronary heart disease. Relevance to clinical practice: This study assessed the effectiveness of secondary prevention education and demonstrated improvements in all outcomes in this population. Longer duration programmes were more effective in improving disease knowledge and physical activity in the long term. These findings can assist the cardiac programmes' design, particularly in ensuring sufficient intervention duration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Patient education is a cardiac rehabilitation core component and is associated with improvements in self-management of patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). However, the efficacy of such interventions on psychosocial outcomes and relative impact of duration is less clear. Objectives This study aimed to assess the efficacy of patient education for secondary prevention related to behaviour change and risk factor modification on psychological outcomes in CHD patients. Design A systematic review and meta-analysis. Data sources PsycINFO, CINAHL, Embase, EmCare, MEDLINE, PubMed, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched from inception to February 2021. Eligibility criteria for study selection Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating patient education in CHD patients, or following myocardial infarction, or revascularization compared with usual care were identified. Outcomes included depression and anxiety at <6 and 6–12 months of follow-up. Results A total of 39 RCTs and 8748 participants were included. Patient education significantly improved participants' depressive symptoms at <6 (SMD −0.82) and 6–12 months (SMD −0.38) of follow-up and anxiety level at <6 (SMD −0.90), and 6–12 months (SMD −0.32) of follow-up. Patient education also reduced the risk for having clinical depression by 35% and anxiety by 60%. Longer patient education of ≥3 months, resulted in more improvement in depressive symptoms at 6–12 months (coefficient −0.210) compared to shorter duration. Conclusions Patient education for secondary prevention reduces anxiety and depressive symptoms in CHD patients. Regardless of intensity, longer patient education improves depression more than short duration. More information is needed on the relative impact of other intervention components. Data registration PROSPERO (CRD42020200504). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To assess the efficacy of structured patient education on disease‐related knowledge and health behaviour change outcomes in adults with coronary heart disease. Design: Systematic review and meta‐analyses including meta‐regression on education duration. Methods: Seven databases (including Medline, Pubmed (non‐Medline), CINAHL, PsycINFO, Embase, Emcare and Cochrane central register of controlled trials) will be searched from inception through 2020 to identify relevant randomized controlled trials testing interventions to improve health behaviours and disease‐related knowledge in adults with coronary heart disease. Risk for bias will be assessed using the Cochrane Risk for Bias tool. Data will be synthesized using random‐effects meta‐analyses in Comprehensive Meta‐Analysis Version 3. Heterogeneity will be assessed using Cochrane's Q statistic and the I‐squared statistic will be reported. Meta‐regression will be used to determine the effect of intervention duration. Publication bias will be assessed using funnel plots and Egger's test and which will be adjusted by conducting the trim‐and‐fill test when necessary. Funding for this project began in March 2020. Discussion: We will examine knowledge and behaviour outcomes including physical activity, dietary habits, smoking and medication adherence for patients with coronary heart diseases. This review will be the most comprehensive meta‐analysis of structured patient education interventions to date and the first to analyse the effect of education duration. Impact: The efficacy of patient education on knowledge and behaviour outcomes for patients with coronary heart diseases has not yet been established. This systematic review will determine the efficacy of structured patient education on knowledge and behaviour outcomes and determine whether the duration of patient education influences patient outcomes and thus guide intervention design. PROSPERO registration Number: CRD42020173467. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) registries have the potential to support quality improvement (QImp). This study investigated the QImp needs of International CR Registry-participating programs and their evaluation of its' supports., Methods: ICRR offers comparative outcome dashboards and QImp sessions, among other features. In this qualitative study, ICRR data stewards from the 17 active on-boarded CR programs were invited to a focus group held in November 2023 via Teams; stewards not sufficiently-proficient in English were invited to provide written input. Deductive-thematic analysis using NVIVO was undertaken by 2 researchers; member-checking ensued., Results: Nine participated, and four provided input, from eight countries. Three themes emerged; saturation was achieved. First, QImp facilitators included training, institutional requirements, dedicated staff, resources in academic centres and ICRR features. Second, QImp barriers included staffing issues, the global nature of the ICRR, and structural challenges in low-resource settings. Finally, ICRR supports for QImp included didactic webinars, hearing from other programs, 1-1 support offered and assessing minimum Certification standards., Conclusion: ICRR-participating programs are satisfied with QImp supports but encounter challenges, including related to language, staffing and other resources. CR registries should be leveraged and optimized to support CR programs to assess and improve their care quality., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest None., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Background: COVID-19 has impacted how people receive health care for many conditions, including cardiovascular diseases., Objectives: To examine perceptions of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) participants regarding their health behaviors and information needs during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil., Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a 27-item questionnaire, developed by the investigators, was administered online to participants from two CR programs. Questions included health literacy (HL; using the Brief Health Literacy Screening Tool), technology use, perceptions before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, and information needs. Pearson correlation coefficients, paired t-tests, and ANOVA were used as appropriate. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant for all tests., Results: Overall, 159 (25.5%) CR participants answered the questionnaire. Of these, 89.9% had limited or marginal HL and 96.2% reported having internet access at home. Patients are mainly concerned about their family's health and their own, as well as how the coronavirus is dangerous to their health and how it has changed their lifestyle. Participants perceived that the quality of their health behaviors significantly decreased during the pandemic. The pandemic also changed information needs of CR participants as new needs emerged, such as the control of anxiety levels, staying motivated to live healthily during a pandemic, and how COVID-19 can impact their health condition. Participants with adequate HL significantly perceived the severity of the disease and having access to information significantly more than those with limited HL., Conclusions: Our results highlighted the impact of the pandemic on CR participants' perceptions regarding their health behaviors and information needs, which can be influenced by HL levels.

Background: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a proven model of secondary prevention in which patient education is a core component., Objectives: to translate and culturally-adapt CR patient education for Mandarin-speaking patients living in China as well as immigrants, and offer recommendation for best practices in adaptation for both., Methods: these steps were undertaken in China and Canada: (1) preparation; (2) translation and adaptation; (3) review by healthcare providers based on PEMAT-P; (4) think-aloud review by patients; and (5) finalization., Results: Two independent Mandarin translations were undertaken using best practices: one domestic (China) and one international (immigrants). Input by 23 experts instigated revisions. Experts rated the language and content as culturally-appropriate, and perceived the materials would benefit their patients. A revised version was then administered to 36 patients, based on which a few edits were made to optimize understandability., Conclusions: some important differences emerged between translations adapted for native versus immigrant settings., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is insufficiently available; even less so in low-resource settings. Health care administrators (HAs) are responsible for ensuring CR programs are offered and resourced. This study compared HA CR attitudes in North and South America, the contextual factors associated with these attitudes, and developed a scale/survey to assess them with global applicability., Methods: Data were retrospectively analysed from three cross-sectional studies: in (1) 195 HAs from Canada (i.e., North America), (2) 44 HAs from seven South American countries, and (3) 43 HAs from Brazil (all South America). Contextual and perceptual/attitudinal items (five-point Likert scale, with higher scores indicating more positive attitudes) were compared by region. Psychometric properties of items were tested. A literature review was performed, and items generated for content validation by experts., Results: The most negative CR attitudes related to government funding models (mean=2.46±1.14/5), and that patients have responsibility for their disease management (3.03±1.25). North American HAs rated their institutions' perceptions of the importance of CR (p<0.001) and quality of the local program (p<0.001) higher than their South American counterparts, but rated the utility of CR in lowering length of stay (p<0.001), promoting behaviour change (p<0.05) and the need for more government funding (p<0.05) lower, among others. Total attitude scores were positively associated with CR knowledge/awareness in both cohorts (all p<0.01). North American HAs more often perceived CR should be funded by hospitals (p<0.001) than South Americans. A 39-item HA CR Attitudes (HACRA-R) scale was developed., Conclusions: Health care administrators' perceptions vary by context, which could impact CR resourcing., (Copyright © 2019 Australian and New Zealand Society of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgeons (ANZSCTS) and the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand (CSANZ). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a global epidemic, which is largely preventable. Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is demonstrated to be efficacious and cost-effective for secondary prevention in high-income countries. Given its affordability, CR should be more broadly implemented in middle-income countries as well. Hence, the International Council of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation (ICCPR) convened a writing panel to recommend strategies to deliver all core CR components in low-resource settings, namely: (1) initial assessment, (2) lifestyle risk factor management (i.e., diet, tobacco, mental health), (3) medical risk factor management (lipids, blood pressure), (4) education for self-management; (5) return to work; and (6) outcome evaluation. Approaches to delivering these components in alternative, arguably lower-cost settings, such as the home, community and primary care, are provided. Recommendations on delivering each of these components where the most-responsible CR provider is a non-physician, such as an allied healthcare professional or community health care worker, are also provided., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)