Cardiac rehabilitation ambassadors - a new model to enhance patient participation

Abstract Introduction Participation in outpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR) is considered an integral part of secondary treatment of heart disease. Despite being considered standard care, participation remains low internationally. Encouraging patients to enrol in CR during their hospital stay is linked to higher participation. [1] This study was conducted at a hospital that provides acute cardiac and rehabilitation services in Australia. Purpose As a provider of cardiac care, we identified that increasing nurses’ knowledge of the of CR would improve their capacity to promote CR during patient’s hospital stay. Methods Utilising a quality improvement methodology, the Cardiac Ambassador Initiative was developed with key stakeholders working on cardiac units in 2022. The program consisted of an immersion experience for cardiac nurses to shadow CR nurses working in a specialist rehabilitation centre providing best practice CR for patients with a variety of cardiac conditions. To evaluate the impact of the program, cross-sectional surveys and individual interviews were conducted with participants and Nurse-Unit-Managers (NUMs). Key outcomes included: ambassadors’ knowledge and confidence to promote CR participation to their patients on the wards and NUM's perceptions of the impact of the program. Results The program was run over two years. The NUMs and CR-coordinator selected a total of 13 nurses to participate. In 2022 4 participants attended a total of 5 days each. Following evaluation, the program was modified to 3 days for participants in 2023, which enabled 9 participants to attend. All participants described not fully understanding the nature of CR and its impact on patients until they attended a program. Prior to attendance, 100% of participants considered it was important or somewhat important for patients to attend CR. Following attendance 100% of participants consider it essential or important for patients to attend. They also reported feeling more confident to discuss CR with patients and colleagues and encourage patient participation following the immersion experience. Pre-attendance 100% of participants felt either not at all confident or somewhat confident to discuss CR with their patients and this improved post program with 100% feeling very confident. 100% of participants also indicated that their confidence and skill in discussing CR with patients greatly improved and recommended that others should participate in the CR Ambassador program. Nurse Unit Managers reported that the CR Ambassadors were a valuable resource for both staff and patients on the cardiac unit and that they had identified a need to review the accessibility of CR information and referral documentation available on their wards. Conclusion The immersion experience represents a feasible and sustainable approach to establishing CR ambassadors on acute cardiac wards with the skills needed to promote CR participation to colleagues and patients.