Digital Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR) programs can improve participation rates

4th November, 2020

One of the key benefits of the CardihabTM program of Digital Cardiac Rehabilitation (DCR) is the ability to improve participation in Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR) compared to traditional models of care. This was demonstrated in the Varnfield Randomised Control Trial that showed DCR significantly improved uptake, completion and adherence to DCR programs when compared to traditional models of care.

In a subsequent study led by cardiologist Dr John Rivers from the Queensland Cardiovascular Group, it was demonstrated that these significant improvements in participation are repeatable in the real world context. The study evaluated the impact on CR participation that was associated with the introduction of a smartphone enabled app (CardihabTM) for patients declining conventional CR. Information on barriers to CR participation were also collected.

The results of this study were shared in late October at the Virtual Canadian Cardiovascular Conference. The study showed that patients who initially declined traditional CR were able to be re-engaged and initiated into CR programs when offered Cardihab. Offering Cardihab to patients that declined traditional models of care significantly increased participation from 21% to 63%.

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Cardihab would like to congratulate Associate Professor Melinda Carrington from Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute

3rd November, 2020

Cardihab would like to congratulate Associate Professor Melinda Carrington from Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute who was recently awarded the Heart Foundation Vanguard Grant for ‘Improving secondary prevention and survivorship after a coronary event through enhanced disease management in higher risk individuals’.

Coronary heart disease (CHD) remains the number one killer of Australians and places a burden on the healthcare system as it is the costliest disease group to treat due to hospital readmissions.

After a person has a CHD event, they are recommended to attend Disease Management Programs (DMP) such as Cardiac Rehabilitation programs. Attendance to Cardiac rehabilitation programs demonstrate benefit on patient mortality, re-hospitalisations, psychological wellbeing, quality of life and CVD risk factors Many are unable to attend due to work or family commitments and geographical locations. Innovative concepts such as incorporating e-health and telehealth can overcome barriers by providing more flexible options.

We are honoured that we will be collaborating in this two-year study to improve the access and quality of secondary prevention and prolong survivorship after a CHD event in patients deemed to be at highest risk of a recurrent ischaemic event. This will be assessed by comparing 90-day hospital readmissions (primary endpoint) in patients receiving an intensive Disease Management Programs (DMP) utilising e-Health (SmartCR app) and telehealth strategies (intervention group) versus patients receiving Usual Care (control group). Extended 12-month follow-up and usage of the SmartCR cardiac rehabilitation platform app will be comprehensively evaluated.

Below is detailed bio of Melinda from Baker website
https://baker.edu.au/research/staff/melinda-carrington

Associate Professor Melinda Carrington is a Health Services Researcher and a Future Leader Fellow of the National Heart Foundation. She received prior NHMRC Career Development and Early Career Training Fellowships in Health Services Research. After completing her PhD in sleep research at The University of Melbourne, she undertook post-doctoral training in cardiovascular clinical trials at the Baker Institute before leaving to establish the Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research at ACU. Melinda returned to the Baker Institute in 2017 with her team to head the Preclinical Disease and Prevention Unit.

Associate Professor Carrington has over a decade of experience in conducting community intervention trials in cardiovascular and metabolic disease prevention and chronic disease management. Together with her team, Melinda specialises in comprehensive risk assessment and nurse-led interventions to prevent cardiovascular disease and diabetes, particularly in settings where there is disadvantage, such as regional communities, lower socio-economic groups and amongst Indigenous Australians. The group have been integral in discovering clear benefits for eHealth resources with the provision for optimal care of patients with chronic conditions in the community, primary care and hospital settings.

Melinda is an Honorary (Principal Fellow) within the newly established Baker Department of Cardiometabolic Health at The University of Melbourne, Adjunct Senior Research Fellow at Monash University and an Adjunct Professor at Torrens University.

Awards

  • European Society of Cardiology Heart Failure, Late breaking science award (2017)
  • European Society of Cardiology, Late breaking science award (2015)
  • European Society of Cardiology Heart Failure, Late breaking science award (2014)
  • American Heart Association, Late breaking trial (2014)
  • American Heart Association, Best research paper (2013)
  • European Society of Cardiology, Best abstract from ESC affiliated cardiac societies (2012)
  • American Heart Association, Best abstract from Australia (2012)

Achievements

  • National Heart Foundation Future Leader Fellowship (2016–2020)
  • NHMRC Career Development Fellowship (2012–2015)
  • Cardiac Society of Australia & New Zealand, McCredie/Wilcken Travelling Fellowship (2012)
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