Healthcare professionals’ perspectives on implementing postoperative care alongside Phase 1 cardiac rehabilitation: a descriptive qualitative study

BACKGROUND: Following Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) surgery, Healthcare Professionals (HCPs) implement postoperative patient care alongside Phase 1 Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR). Yet, HCPs' experiences, including enablers and barriers to the implementation of postoperative care alongside Phase 1 CR, are largely unknown. This study aimed to explore HCPs' perceptions of implementing postoperative care alongside Phase 1 CR, including assessing patient engagement, following CABG surgery. DESIGN: A qualitative study was undertaken using semi-structured interviews with 10 HCPs in a cardiothoracic unit at a large Australian tertiary hospital. Interview questions were underpinned by the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). Using purposive sampling, HCPs (registered nurses, allied health and surgical team), working in a surgical cardiac unit, were recruited from February to March 2023. NVivo 12.0 software was used to analyse the textual data using inductive content analysis to generate categories. RESULTS: Four categories related to HCPs' perceptions of implementation of postoperative care alongside Phase 1 CR were developed: (i) implementing individualised postoperative CABG care alongside Phase 1 CR, (ii) assessing baseline health status to inform postoperative CABG care and recovery, (iii) enhancing patient engagement through ongoing support post-CABG surgery, (iv) navigating barriers to implementing postoperative CABG care. CONCLUSIONS: HCPs described the complexity of implementing postoperative care alongside Phase 1 CR, where enablers and barriers influence the success of both interventions. Understanding HCPS' perceptions of implementation can assist in identifying strategies to overcome barriers and promote the implementation of individualised postoperative CABG care alongside Phase 1 CR. An individualised implementation enhances patients' engagement in their care.