Implementation and Evaluation of Telemedicine in Cardiac Rehabilitation

Implementation and Evaluation of Telemedicine in Cardiac Rehabilitation - a Study on Health Literacy, Health Related Quality of Life, and Family Support

The overall aim is to develop and test the effect of a tailored patient and family focused cardiac tele rehabilitation intervention on health literacy by comparing it to standard care. Furthermore, to evaluate health-related quality of life, family support, and how the patients experience the communication and relationship with outpatient clinic nurses.

The project is designed inspired by The Complex Intervention Framework (MRC-Guidelines) combined with a patient and family participatory design. The project will consist of three sub-studies. The first study is a co-creation development of a model for the cardiac telerehabilitation intervention. The second study is a quasi-experimental study with a quantitative comparison of the group receiving the cardiac telerehabilitation intervention and control group. The third study will be a descriptive qualitative study which aim to investigate patient's experience with CTR using participant observation and individual interview or dyadic interview.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients and their family members affiliated with the Department of Cardiology at Amager and Hvidovre Hospital and attending cardiac rehabilitation.
• Patients diagnosed with ischemic heart disease, heart failure, persistent atrial fibrillation, and cardiac valve surgery.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with substantial language barriers and limited cognitive function.
• Patients who can't use a smart phone, tablet, or computer.