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| LETTER TO EDITOR |
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| Year : 2019 | Volume
: 24
| Issue : 2 | Page : 158 |
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What is the most serious obstacle to participation in outpatient cardiac rehabilitation programs among Iranian patients?
Behzad Heydarpour1, Mozhgan Saeidi1, Ali Soroush2, Saeid Komasi3
1 Cardiac Rehabilitation Center, Imam Ali Hospital, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
2 Lifestyle Modification Research Center, Imam Reza Hospital, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
3 Clinical Research Development Center, Imam Reza Hospital, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| Date of Web Publication | 15-Feb-2019 |
Correspondence Address:
Dr. Saeid Komasi
Clinical Research Development Center, Imam Reza Hospital, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah
Iran
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/ijnmr.IJNMR_67_18
How to cite this article:
Heydarpour B, Saeidi M, Soroush A, Komasi S. What is the most serious obstacle to participation in outpatient cardiac rehabilitation programs among Iranian patients?. Iranian J Nursing Midwifery Res 2019;24:158 |
How to cite this URL:
Heydarpour B, Saeidi M, Soroush A, Komasi S. What is the most serious obstacle to participation in outpatient cardiac rehabilitation programs among Iranian patients?. Iranian J Nursing Midwifery Res [serial online] 2019 [cited 2023 Mar 25];24:158. Available from: https://www.ijnmrjournal.net/text.asp?2019/24/2/158/252353 |
Dear Editor,
Cardiac rehabilitation programs (CRs) are among the most important third-level prevention services that can have positive health outcomes and reduce cardiac death.[1] Despite the numerous evidences that indicate the usefulness of CRs, few patients – especially in developing countries – participate in these programs.[2] Compared to developed countries with over 70% participation in CRs,[3] less than 15% of Iranian patients participate in the programs.[2]
Various studies have pointed to the role of many barriers such as the lack of knowledge about the benefits of CRs, the distance and lack of easy access, costs, transportation problems, and socioeconomic status.[4] Nevertheless, one of the most important obstacles is the financial problems of patients and the lack of insurance coverage.[2] International standard protocols recommend various delivery formats of one to five sessions per week for 2–38 weeks.[5] Insurance companies cover all sessions according to these protocols. Although these protocols are universally accepted and implemented in all countries, including Iran, insurance companies to their own taste cover a small number of sessions. Despite the high rate of initial registration, patients generally refuse to participate after being informed about the lack of insurance coverage. Considering the main format of delivery of these services in Iran is hospital-based approach, the patients need to exercise 26–40 sessions. However, only the insurance of the Imdad Committee (Komeeteh-e-Emdad) covers 90% of the entire sessions. Other insurances including treatment services (Khadamat-e-Darmani), social security (Tamin-e-Ejtemaei), and armed forces medical services (Khadamat-e-Darmani Neirohaye Mosalah), respectively, cover 70% 10 sessions, 70% 26 sessions, and 90% 20 sessions.
Based on the above considerations, in developing countries such as Iran, unlike developed countries, insurance companies do not follow from the standard medical guidelines. This problem confronts patients with many challenges to participating in CRs and benefits from its advantages. In the first place, the deficit threatens the health of this vulnerable group. On the other hand, a lot of financial burden in the near future will be imposed on the health system of the country. Thus, it is recommended that health policymakers, especially in Iran, interact with insurance companies to find the right strategies tosolve the challenge.
Financial support and sponsorship
Nil.
Conflicts of interest
Nothing to declare.
| References | |  |
| 1. | Lee JY, Ahn JM, Park DW, Kang SJ, Kim YH, et al. Impact of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation on long-term clinical outcomes in patients with left main coronary artery stenosis. Eur J Prev Cardiol 2016;23:1804-13.  |
| 2. | Moradi B, Maleki M, Esmaeilzadeh M, Abkenar HB. Physician-related factors affecting cardiac rehabilitation referral. J Tehran Heart Cent 2011;6:187-92. |
| 3. | Pack QR, Squires RW, Lopez-Jimenez F, Lichtman SW, Rodriguez-Escudero JP, Lindenauer PK, et al. Participation rates, process monitoring, and quality improvement among United States cardiac rehabilitation programs: A national survey. J Cardiopulm Rehabil Prev 2015;35:173-80. |
| 4. | Koehler Hildebrandt AN, Hodgson JL, Dodor BA, Knight SM, Rappleyea DL. Biopsychosocial-spiritual factors impacting referral to and participation in cardiac rehabilitation for African American patients: A systematic review. J Cardiopulm Rehabil Prev 2016;36:320-30. |
| 5. | Price KJ, Gordon BA, Bird SR, Benson AC. A review of guidelines for cardiac rehabilitation exercise programmes: Is there an international consensus? Eur J Prev Cardiol 2016;23:1715-33. |
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