Abstract

Background

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) has been proven to improve long-term outcomes for patients. Despite its benefits, its uptake throughout the world is poor. Factors affecting the motivation and barriers impeding an individual from participating in a CR program have been extensively studied. Nevertheless, knowledge of product-specific factors in affecting participation is lacking.

Objectives

To find out cultural-specific product attributes that are important to those contemplating participation in a community-based CR program using Consolidated criteria for Reporting Qualitative research (COREQ) as an anchor.

Methods

Participants were recruited from attendees of the CR program at the Singapore Heart Foundation. A literature review was done to identify product-specific attributes that affected participation in CR programs. An interview guide was developed on the basis of the list of product attributes. The analysis was done by two independent analysts using NVivo version 11 (QSR International, Melbourne, Australia) via an inductive approach. Data analysis was carried out with recruitment and interviews ongoing until thematic saturation was reached.

Results

In total, 13 male and 9 female participants (16 Chinese, 4 Indian, 1 Malay, and 1 Eurasian) aged between 47 and 89 years were interviewed. A total of 8 categories (System, Infrastructure, Environment, Monitoring, Activity, Program, Staff, and Companionship) with 30 subcategories were identified. New themes that have not been explored by previous studies were discovered under five different categories: System, Infrastructure, Environment, Program, and Companionship.

Conclusions

This study allows a better understanding of product-specific factors affecting participation in CR programs and serves as a springboard for further research to improve participation in community-based CR programs.