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Current Nutrition Practice in Cardiac Rehabilitation Programs

Kocanda, Lucy; Schumacher, Tracy L.; Kerr, Jane; May, Jennifer; Rollo, Megan E.; Neubeck, Lis; Brown, Leanne J.

Authors

Lucy Kocanda

Tracy L. Schumacher

Jane Kerr

Jennifer May

Megan E. Rollo

Leanne J. Brown



Abstract

Purpose:
This study sought to determine current practice regarding nutrition care within cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs, including perceived barriers and facilitators to providing nutrition care in this setting.

Methods:
A cross-sectional survey was conducted in October and November 2019. Potential participants were program coordinators, identified through the Australian Cardiovascular Health and Rehabilitation Association program directory and invited to participate via e-mail.

Results:
Forty-nine respondents (response rate: 13%) are included in this analysis. Programs provided group (n = 42, 86%) and/or individual (n = 25, 51%) nutrition education, and most were supported by a dietitian (63%). However, the availability of dietitians and nutrition care provided at CR was variable. For example, individual education was consistently provided at 13 programs and usually by health professionals other than dietitians. Eight programs (16%) used a formal behavior change framework for nutrition care. Generally, respondents were positive about the role of nutrition; CR coordinators perceived nutrition as a valuable component of the program, and that they had good nutrition knowledge. An identified barrier was the financial resources available to support the provision of nutrition care.

Conclusions:
To ensure that patients receive the benefits of evidence-based nutrition care, program staff may require additional support, particularly regarding the use of evidence-based behavior change techniques. Key facilitators that may be leveraged to achieve this include the high value and priority that CR program coordinators place on nutrition care.

Citation

Kocanda, L., Schumacher, T. L., Kerr, J., May, J., Rollo, M. E., Neubeck, L., & Brown, L. J. (2021). Current Nutrition Practice in Cardiac Rehabilitation Programs. Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Prevention, 41(6), E32-E38. https://doi.org/10.1097/hcr.0000000000000588

Journal Article Type Article
Online Publication Date Feb 15, 2021
Publication Date 2021-11
Deposit Date Nov 30, 2021
Journal Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Prevention
Print ISSN 1932-7501
Electronic ISSN 1932-751X
Publisher Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 41
Issue 6
Pages E32-E38
DOI https://doi.org/10.1097/hcr.0000000000000588
Keywords behavior change, cardiac rehabilitation, diet, nutrition
Public URL http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/2824249