title: Cardiac rehabilitation services in Ontario:  components, models and underserved groups.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Cardiac rehabilitation programs develop in accordance with guidelines, but also in response to local needs and resources. This study evaluated features of Ontario cardiac rehabilitation programs in accordance with guidelines, emerging evidence and treating underserved populations.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this cross-sectional study, all Ontario cardiac rehabilitation programs were mailed an investigator-generated survey. Responses were received from 38 of 45 (84.4%) programs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-seven (71.1%) cardiac rehabilitation programs were located within a hospital. Twenty-four (63.2%) programs reported that they offer two sessions of exercise and education per week. Twenty-six (68.4%) programs offered an alternative model of program delivery other than on-site, with 10 (27.0%) programs reporting they tailored their programs to rural patients. Twenty-three (62.2%) programs provided services to patients with a noncardiac primary indication. Twenty-six (68.4%) programs systematically screened patients for depressive symptoms. Twenty-seven (71.1%) offered resources to patients postgraduation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most cardiac rehabilitation programs offered alternative models of care, such as home-based rehabilitation. Cardiac rehabilitation sites are well integrated within their community, enabling smooth postcardiac rehabilitation transitions for patients. Cardiac rehabilitation programs continue to offer proven comprehensive components, while simultaneously attempting to adapt to meet the needs of patients with other chronic diseases.
authors.affiliation: York University, Faculty of Health, School of Kinesiology and Health Science, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Peter A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Polyzotis
authors.forename: Yongyao
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Peter L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Prior
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.forename: Terry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fair
authors.forename: Sherry L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Grace
mesh_terms: D016507:Cardiology Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000458:organization & administration; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D015276:Health Care Rationing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D018575:Home Care Services, Hospital-Based / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D017146:Models, Organizational; D009864:Ontario / Q000453:epidemiology; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000458:organization & administration; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D035862:Vulnerable Populations
chemical_list: D002317:Cardiovascular Agents