Understanding cardiovascular healthcare professionals' knowledge and attitudes toward exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation in coronary heart disease

Introduction This study aims to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of healthcare professionals in Cardiovascular Medicine, Cardiothoracic Surgery, and Intensive Care Units regarding exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) for coronary heart disease (CHD). Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted between April 2024 and June 2024 at TEDA International Cardiovascular Hospital. Healthcare professionals from Cardiovascular Medicine, Cardiothoracic Surgery, and Intensive Care Units were recruited through convenience sampling via a WeChat-based online questionnaire. A self-developed KAP questionnaire was distributed, and structural equation modeling was used to examine relationships among knowledge, attitudes, and practices. Results Analysis of 240 valid questionnaires revealed a response rate of 82%. Among the respondents, 66.7% were female, and 35.4% had 5–10 years of experience. The mean (SD) scores were: knowledge 8.60 (1.20) out of 10, attitude 29.14 (2.15) out of 30, and practice 32.80 (3.77) out of 35. Structural equation modeling indicated that knowledge was directly associated with attitude ( β = 0.217, P = 0.014) and practice ( β = 0.396, P < 0.001), while attitude was also associated with practice ( β = 0.512, P < 0.001). Conclusion The findings suggest that healthcare professionals possess adequate knowledge and positive attitudes toward CR for CHD. To improve clinical outcomes, targeted training programs should be established to enhance knowledge and ensure the translation of positive attitudes into practice.