title: Women's preferences for cardiac rehabilitation program model: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is effective, women often report programs do not meet their needs. Innovative models have been developed that may better suit women. The objectives of the study were to describe: (1) adherence to CR model allocation; (2) satisfaction by model attended; and (3) CR preferences.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tertiary objectives from a randomized controlled trial of female patients randomized to mixed-sex, women-only, or home-based CR were tested. Patients were recruited from six hospitals. Consenting participants were asked to complete a survey and undertook a CR intake assessment. Eligible patients were randomized. Participants were mailed a follow-up survey six months later. Adherence to model allocation was ascertained from CR charts.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall 169 (18.6%) patients were randomized, of which 116 (68.6%) completed the post-test survey. Forty-five (26.6%) participants did not receive the allocated model, with those referred to home-based CR least likely to attend the allocated model (n = 25; 45.4%). Semi-structured interviews revealed participants also often switched from women-only to mixed-sex CR due to time conflicts. Satisfaction was high across all models (mean = 4.23 ± 1.16/5; p = 0.85) but participants in the women-only program felt significantly more comfortable in their workout attire (p = 0.003) and perceived the environment as less competitive (p = 0.02). Patients equally preferred mixed-sex (n = 44, 41.9%) and women-only (n = 44, 41.9%) CR, over home-based (n = 17, 16.2%), with patients preferring the model they attended.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Females were highly satisfied regardless of CR model attended but preferred supervised programs most. Patient preference and session timing should be considered in program model allocation decisions.
authors.affiliation: York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Andraos
authors.affiliation: Hamilton Health Sciences Centre, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Heather M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Arthur
authors.affiliation: University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.affiliation: University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chessex
authors.affiliation: University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brister
authors.affiliation: York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada sgrace@yorku.ca.
authors.forename: Sherry L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Grace
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003020:Clothing; D003163:Competitive Behavior; D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017146:Models, Organizational; D009864:Ontario; D010349:Patient Compliance; D057240:Patient Preference; D010465:Perception; D012737:Sex Factors; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016387:Women's Health; D014932:Women's Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*
keywords: Cardiac Care Facility; Rehabilitation; patient satisfaction; women’s health