Extending access to cardiac rehabilitation

Project lead

Dr. Philippe L.-L'Allier

cardiologist and Director of prevention and cardiovascular rehabilitation at the MHI

Potential impact

Lower the risks of recurrent cardiac events, prevent complications, and reduce the number of hospitalisations by providing personalized care to a greater number of vulnerable patients.

Cardiac rehabilitation is crucial to recovery and lowers the risks of recurrent cardiac events. Unfortunately, few patients have access to this type of program. Dr. L’Allier’s project aims to make cardiac rehabilitation a routine part of the care journey for vulnerable patients. It would provide them with more personalized care, increase their autonomy, and allow them to benefit from cutting-edge approaches to ensure an optimal recovery.

Observation

A growing need to support the most vulnerable patients

Currently, only 23% of patients are able to benefit from cardiac rehabilitation services at the MHI's specialized clinics.

This is a small percentage considering that cardiac rehabilitation is crucial for recovery, lowering the risks of recurrent cardiac events, preventing complications, and reducing the number of hospitalisations. It also empowers patients to take an active role in their own health journey.

Because the number of patients at medium or high risk is continuously increasing, a more accessible, personalized approach has become essential.

23%

Currently, only 23% of patients are able to benefit from cardiac rehabilitation services at the MHI's specialized clinics.

Goal

Doubling the number of patients in cardiac rehabilitation and personalizing care

The aim is to double the program’s capacity and ensure that cardiac rehabilitation is automatically provided to vulnerable patients, i.e., transplant recipients, individuals with heart failure, persons with congenital or genetic diseases, etc.

It provides support tailored to different levels of risk (for instance, enhance monitoring of high-risk patients) and integrate the most recent innovations into education and training programs, such as telerehabilitation, connected tools, and personalized training regime.

The overall goal is to personalize the patient’s care journey, improve their autonomy, and help them adapt sustainable lifestyle habits.

The MHI will be able to provide twice as many patients with access to cardiac rehabilitation services.

Impact

A project that improves care

Innovation in the field of cardiac rehabilitation will have immediate benefits for patients, clinical teams, and the entire health care network, and it will also heighten the standards of care at the MHI:

Better support for patients: a more accessible, personalized journey that will reduce recurrent events and improve the odds of recovery.
A modernized patient experience: more than 1,500 patients will be able to take advantage of innovative approaches, such as telerehabilitation, connected tools, and adapted programs.
A more effective service: evidence-based interventions to foster adherence and ensure follow ups are more effective.
Reinforced teams: development of specialized skillsets and a heightened appeal for professionals.
Consolidated leadership: the MHI is reaffirming its role as a leader in prevention and rehabilitation in Quebec.

“Cardiac rehabilitation changes lives and provides tools designed for long-term recovery.”

[Dr. Philippe L.-L’Allier, cardiologist and Director of prevention and cardiovascular rehabilitation at the MHI]