Enhancing the translation of research into action – Cardiac Rehabilitation in South Australia

Cardiac Rehabilitation and Secondary Prevention has been identified as the translation priority in the heart disease area. It builds on the previous work that had been advanced by the SA Cardiac Clinical Network.

The Translation Centre Cardiac Rehabilitation and Secondary Prevention Working Group

The newly established working group has representatives from all key stakeholder groups, and has the mission to provide appropriate evidence based cardiac rehabilitation services to all eligible patients in South Australia. It has the goal that within five years (by April 2021), 100% of eligible Acute Coronary Syndrome patients in South Australia are referred into recognised cardiac rehabilitation services with at least 70% completing a program that suits the needs of the patient and their families. This will be a significant improvement, with only 18% of patients completing Cardiac Rehabilitation in 2013.

The Working Group has developed two sub working groups, Data Audit and Monitoring and Research Development. Additionally the Working Group has formal links to the Cardiac Rehabilitation Coalition that consists of practitioners across South Australia.

There are a number of priority projects that have already commenced under the leadership of the Working Group including a linked data project to understand outcomes from program completion and two literature reviews that will highlight current evidence. These are strong foundation pieces to ensure that South Australia can work towards achieving the mission and goal of this Working Group.