Abstract EP52: Using Human-Centered Design Methodology to Identify Challenges in Cardiac Recovery and Cardiac Rehabilitation from Diverse Patient, Patient Health Partner, and Clinician Perspectives

Introduction: Despite overwhelming evidence for improved patient outcomes with Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR) after a cardiovascular event, CR participation remains markedly low, especially for women and those from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups. Objective: To identify challenges encountered during cardiac recovery and CR by engaging key stakeholders in human-centered design (HCD) sessions to guide development of solutions to increase CR participation. Methods: HCD is a methodology that is used to solve complex problems with the engagement of end-users. We recruited a) patients who were eligible for CR and deemed low to moderate risk for exercise, b) patient health partners, and c) clinicians with experience providing care to cardiovascular patients. We conducted separate meetings for patient/patient health partner and clinician groups virtually via Zoom to identify challenges, motivators, and themes for these groups in the setting of cardiac recovery and CR participation. Sessions were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide based on HCD methodology to identify emerging themes. Results: There were 11 patients, 4 patient health partners, and 10 clinicians enrolled in the study. Demographics and broad themes identified during virtual HCD sessions summarizing challenges shared by key stakeholders are reported in Figure 1. Conclusions: HCD sessions engaging a diverse group of patients, patient health partners, and clinicians identified challenges in the setting of cardiac recovery and CR and highlighted similar concepts among different stakeholders. We aim to conduct future sessions to further co-design a digital health intervention for virtual delivery of CR addressing these challenges. Figure 1. Demographics and top themes from virtual HCD sessions summarizing challenges during cardiac recovery and CR. CR = cardiac rehabilitation, CABG = coronary artery bypass graft surgery, IQR = interquartile range, MI = myocardial infarction.