Abstract
Background
Health disparities concerning uptake of and adherence to cardiac rehabilitation (CR) post-myocardial infarction (MI) have been observed in South Asians. Healthcare professionals from a South Asian background can provide insight into the influential cultural factors affecting CR adherence in South Asians.
Aim
The aim of the study was to explore cultural factors impacting on South Asians’ adherence to CR post-MI from the perspective of South Asian healthcare professionals.
Methods
A qualitative thematic approach using semi-structured interviews was employed with 15 participants (8 males and 7 females) recruited from various national primary healthcare settings. The participants were from a range of professions including a general practitioner (GP), nurse, surgeon, physiologist, cardiologist, and pharmacist.
Findings
Four themes were identified from the interviews: (1) familiarity: influence of practitioners’ own cultural background, (2) Western vs Eastern medical philosophy: generation and gender influences, (3) engaging with existing services: changing patients’ attitudes and perceptions and (4) modifying doctor-patient communication: encouraging patient responsibility. All themes related to health beliefs South Asian patients were perceived to hold.
Conclusion
Prior work has suggested the need to tailor health services towards South Asian people. However, the focus should also simultaneously be on changing South Asian patients’ perceptions of their own health and to consider providing out-patients with the support to develop the necessary skills to implement lifestyle changes towards improving CR uptake and adherence.
Health disparities concerning uptake of and adherence to cardiac rehabilitation (CR) post-myocardial infarction (MI) have been observed in South Asians. Healthcare professionals from a South Asian background can provide insight into the influential cultural factors affecting CR adherence in South Asians.
Aim
The aim of the study was to explore cultural factors impacting on South Asians’ adherence to CR post-MI from the perspective of South Asian healthcare professionals.
Methods
A qualitative thematic approach using semi-structured interviews was employed with 15 participants (8 males and 7 females) recruited from various national primary healthcare settings. The participants were from a range of professions including a general practitioner (GP), nurse, surgeon, physiologist, cardiologist, and pharmacist.
Findings
Four themes were identified from the interviews: (1) familiarity: influence of practitioners’ own cultural background, (2) Western vs Eastern medical philosophy: generation and gender influences, (3) engaging with existing services: changing patients’ attitudes and perceptions and (4) modifying doctor-patient communication: encouraging patient responsibility. All themes related to health beliefs South Asian patients were perceived to hold.
Conclusion
Prior work has suggested the need to tailor health services towards South Asian people. However, the focus should also simultaneously be on changing South Asian patients’ perceptions of their own health and to consider providing out-patients with the support to develop the necessary skills to implement lifestyle changes towards improving CR uptake and adherence.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Number of pages | 14 |
| Journal | International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation |
| Volume | 29 |
| Issue number | 11 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2 Nov 2022 |