The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated a lasting shift towards diversified cardiac rehabilitation delivery models, with significant increases in hybrid and virtual programming.
BACKGROUND p61%). Of all CRPs, >84% perceived that patients were at least somewhat satisfied with all model components, except fully virtual telephone (57.8%), unless the telephone was within hybrid models (72.2%). Resource and education barrier scores were lower for virtual and hybrid than for in-person programming (p<0.001). Patients with language/communication barriers presented the greatest challenge to exercise program delivery, with <54% of programs offering spoken language translation services for the in-person component. CONCLUSIONS The pandemic accelerated a shift towards diversified program models. Virtual, hybrid, and group-based models may be driving increased accessibility and reduced resource barriers, ultimately expanding patient reach. Further resource allocation is needed for language translation services to better serve diverse populations and accommodate in-person programming for people at higher medical risk and those with mobility deficits. A more widespread triaging process for tailored model allocation should be implemented by all CRPs. Leveraging technology to provide confidence that virtual-based programs are suitable for higher-risk and vulnerable populations, improving connectedness/peer support, and removing barriers for using technology for those who lack experience and/or have cognitive impairment are important initiatives.
Marzolini et al. (Sun,) studied this question.