A simultaneous test of the relationship between identified psychosocial risk factors and recurrent events in coronary artery disease patients.

Psychosocial factors are increasingly recognized as risk indicators for coronary artery disease (CAD) prognosis and they are likely interrelated. The objective of this study is to simultaneously test the relationship between key psychosocial constructs as independent factor scores and recurrent events in CAD patients. There were 1268 CAD outpatients of 97 cardiologists surveyed at two points.

Quality of life following participation in cardiac rehabilitation programs of longer or shorter than 6 months: does duration matter?

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) participation results in significant health benefits. However, there is wide variation in program duration, and little is known about the optimal duration of CR for patient outcomes. The objective of this study was to compare quality of life (QoL) of patients who participated in CR programs of < or ≥6 months duration versus patients who did not attend CR.

Length of delay in seeking medical care by patients with heart failure symptoms and the role of symptom-related factors: a narrative review.

Aims: The delay in seeking timely medical care by patients with acute coronary syndrome and stroke is well established. Less is known about the delay in patients with heart failure (HF). Reducing the delay in seeking care and the early initiation of treatment is associated with improved outcomes in patients with HF.

Drive time to cardiac rehabilitation: at what point does it affect utilization?

Background: A 30 minute drive time threshold has often been cited as indicative of accessible health services. Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a chronic disease management program designed to enhance and maintain cardiovascular health, and geographic barriers to utilization are often cited. The purpose of this study was to empirically test the drive time threshold for CR utilization.

Post-traumatic growth among cardiac outpatients: degree comparison with other chronic illness samples and correlates.

This study evaluated the sociodemographic, clinical and behavioral correlates of post-traumatic growth (PTG) in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients, and the degree of PTG compared to other patient groups. Using a prospective design, 1497 CAD outpatients completed a survey assessing potential PTG correlates. A total of 1268 responded to a nine-month follow-up survey assessing PTG.

Effects of cardiac rehabilitation referral strategies on referral and enrollment rates.

Despite recommendations in clinical practice guidelines, evidence suggests that utilization of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) following indicated cardiac events is low. Referral strategies, such as automatic referral, have been advocated to improve CR utilization. In this Review, we evaluate the effects of referral strategies on rates of CR referral and enrollment.

Degree and correlates of patient trust in their cardiologist.

Rationale And Objectives: Trust in one's doctor has been associated with increased treatment adherence, patient satisfaction and improved health status. This study investigated the level and correlates of patient trust in their cardiac specialist.

Methods: All 386 urban cardiologists in Southern Ontario (95 participating, response rate = 30%) were approached to recruit a sample of their coronary artery disease outpatients.

The association among depressive symptoms, smoking status and antidepressant use in cardiac outpatients.

Both depression and smoking are highly prevalent and related to poorer outcomes in cardiac patients. In this study, the authors examined the association between depressive symptoms and smoking status, described the frequency and type of antidepressant use, and prospectively tested the effects of antidepressant use in smokers on smoking status and psychosocial outcomes. Participants comprised 1,498 coronary artery disease (CAD) outpatients who completed a baseline survey which assessed depressive symptoms, current medications, and smoking status.

Barriers to cardiac rehabilitation: DOES AGE MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

Purpose: To quantitatively investigate age differences in barriers to cardiac rehabilitation (CR) enrollment and participation.

Methods: Cardiac outpatients (N = 1,273, mean age = 65.9 +/- 11.

A multisite examination of sex differences in cardiac rehabilitation barriers by participation status.

Background: Despite its proven benefits and need, women are significantly less likely than men to participate in and complete cardiac rehabilitation (CR). The purpose of this study was to quantitatively investigate sex differences in CR barriers by participation status.

Methods: Cardiac outpatients (1496, 430 female, 28.

Contribution of patient and physician factors to cardiac rehabilitation enrollment: a prospective multilevel study.

Background: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is an established means of reducing mortality, yet is grossly underutilized. This is due to both health system and patient-level factors; issues that have yet to be investigated concurrently. This study utilized a hierarchical design to examine physician and patient-level factors affecting verified CR enrollment.

Contribution of patient and physician factors to cardiac rehabilitation referral: a prospective multilevel study.

Background: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR), in most developed countries, is a proven means of reducing mortality but it is grossly underutilized owing to factors involving both the health system and patients. These issues have not been investigated concurrently. To this end, we employed a hierarchical design to investigate physician and patient factors that affect verified CR referral.

Cardiologists' charting varied by risk factor, and was often discordant with patient report.

Objective: To assess the completeness of cardiac risk factor documentation by cardiologists, and agreement with patient report.

Study Design And Setting: A total of 68 Ontario cardiologists and 789 of their ambulatory cardiology patients were randomly selected. Cardiac risk factor data were systematically extracted from medical charts, and a survey was mailed to participants to assess risk factor concordance.

The impact of angina and cardiac history on health-related quality of life and depression in coronary heart disease patients.

Objective: To prospectively examine the contribution of angina and cardiac history to health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and depression in cardiac patients, over 6 months post-hospitalization.

Methods: Participants were myocardial infarction (MI), percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) outpatients under the age of 70 years. One hundred and seventy-one patients consented to participate, with 121 patients being retained 6 months later (71% response rate).