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Question 14#

The National Audit of Cardiac Rehabilitation has highlighted the problem of poor uptake of CR, with a mean of 4% of the target population taking part in 2008–2009.

Which one of the following statements is correct with regard to efforts to improve access to CR services?

A. Sessions should be held in more accessible community venues or transport provided whenever possible
B. Services should be able to adapt to an individual patient’s gender, age, ethnicity, and mental and physical comorbidities
C. Evidence shows that uptake is particularly poor amongst women, the elderly, people from ethnic minority groups, and patients from lower socioeconomic groups
D. There is a need for improved referral from cardiology acute services
E. All of the above

Correct Answer is E

Comment:

The statements are all correct. Improving accessibility to rehabilitation services is vital. Greater referral (i.e. opt-out approach) is essential. Flexibility in provision is important, and patients should be offered the choice of hospital-, community-, or home-based programmes. Services should be culturally sensitive, with bilingual team members if required, and resources should be available for the visually and hearing impaired.