Improving Veteran Referral to Cardiac Rehabilitation: A Hybrid Effectiveness-Implementation Trial
VA Office of Research and Development
Summary
This study will test whether the Veterans Cardiac Rehabilitation Referral Program (VCR2P) improves cardiac rehabilitation participation by studying 816 Veterans across three VA medical centers in Nashville, Dallas, and Gainesville over 12 months. The trial compares referral rates from the 6 months before implementing the program to 6 months after, using a "before and after" design since randomization would be impractical. The study will measure whether the program increases the proportion of eligible Veterans who receive cardiac rehabilitation referrals and whether more Veterans actually attend rehabilitation sessions. Additionally, focus groups with physicians, nurses, and Veterans will identify what helps or hinders the program's success, providing essential insights for expanding this intervention to other VA facilities nationwide if it proves effective.
Description
This study seeks to evaluate the Veterans Cardiac Rehabilitation Referral Program (VCR2P) using a type 2 hybrid effectiveness-implementation design. The trial involves a single-arm, pre-post trial at three VA medical centers, enrolling a total of 816 Veterans who are eligible for cardiac rehabilitation (CR). The primary objective is to assess the program's impact on two key outcomes: CR referral rates and CR initiation rates. Secondary implementation outcomes will include measures such as reach, adoption, fidelity, maintenance, and cost, providing a comprehensive understanding of how the inter…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18+ years
- Sex