April 24, 2024An Australian-first virtual program that aids patient recovery after a heart event, procedure or heart condition has launched at Northern Health.
The Virtual Cardiac Rehabilitation (VCR) Program is designed to improve the health in patients with heart disease, and to help them achieve the highest quality of life possible.
Patients on the program have goals that include developing healthy habits into the future that help lower the chances of going back to hospital. Having a virtual cardiac rehab program enables patients to access the support they need with more flexible options to the traditional group program.
“Cardiac rehabilitation is proven to reduce hospitalisation and reduce the risk of death from heart conditions,” said Terri Guy, Cardiac Rehabilitation Clinical Nurse Consultant.
“It involves a tailored exercise program, emotional and psychological support from a multidisciplinary team and health education to improve health and wellbeing.”
As part of the virtual program, patients can loan a compatible smartwatch, with clinicians able to track patient progress.
“Patients are able to participate in the virtual program at a time more suitable and that better integrates with their home and work routine,” Terri said.
“It also assists with reducing transportation and eliminates travel barriers.”
“Patients use an app and smartwatch that send reminders to exercise, and their activity data is then sent to their care team. During weekly or fortnightly phone calls with the cardiac nurse or cardiac team, patients can receive feedback on their progress and ask questions or raise concerns.”
The way in which healthcare is being delivered is constantly changing. There is an ongoing need to provide alternative ways to traditional face-to-face services, including the current cardiac rehabilitation program offered at Northern Health.
Fiona Beadle, Cardiac Rehabilitation Clinical Nurse Consultant, submitted the idea of a Virtual Cardiac Program in 2023 as part of the Big Idea campaign. This resulted in a program being trialled at Bundoora Centre and was then presented to the Executive team.
“Not long afterwards, the CLEO team approached the Cardiac Rehabilitation team to discuss using Northern Health’s My Health platform to deliver a virtual cardiac rehab program,” Fiona said.
“The timing was perfect. Clinicians and managers from the Community Therapy Service, Cardiac Rehabilitation and CLEO have been meeting regularly to develop a program that meets the needs of consumers and clinicians.”
Elisha O’Dowd, Effectiveness and Outcomes Manager, CLEO, said the service is a wonderful way to showcase the amazing work that the Cardiac Rehabilitation team do on a daily basis.
“This gives us the opportunity to reach patients who are not available for regular daytime appointments,” she said.
The virtual program will be offered to a select number of patients before the service is expanded in the future.
Featured image left to right: Fiona Beadle, Clinical Nurse Consultant, Terri Guy, Clinical Nurse Consultant and Sam Gorge, Exercise Physiologist.
