Cardiac rehabilitation in Scotland: is current provision satisfactory?

BACKGROUND: Cardiac rehabilitation is an effective intervention, lowering mortality following myocardial infarction and reducing morbidity in patients with coronary heart disease. However, its level of provision was unclear. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive description in Scotland. METHODS: A national survey of hospital, general practice and community sources was conducted in 1994 to identify cardiac rehabilitation programmes in Scotland. Detailed information about each programme was collected by computer-assisted telephone interviews. RESULTS: Sixty-nine programmes were identified, providing out-patient cardiac rehabilitation to 4980 patients and in-patient cardiac rehabilitation to 8920 patients. This represented 17 per cent and 30 per cent of patients admitted to hospital with coronary heart disease (excluding heart failure), respectively. There was considerable geographical variation in provision and dependence on sources outside the health service for much funding. CONCLUSIONS: Despite evidence of benefits from randomized trials, the overall provision of cardiac rehabilitation in Scotland was low. Considerable inequity was demonstrated between different health board areas. There is opportunity for better provision, which would improve care for many patients with coronary heart disease.