Medical Personnel Understanding Regarding Cardiac Rehabilitation Among Cardiac Patients in Bangladesh Medical University.

Abstract

In Bangladesh, Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) impose a significant healthcare and socioeconomic burden. Cardiac rehabilitation, a proven multidisciplinary approach, enhances the well-being of Cardiovascular disease (CVD) patients. However, there may be gaps in medical personnel's understanding of this vital intervention. This study, conducted at Bangladesh Medical University (BMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh a renowned cardiac care institution in Bangladesh, seeks to evaluate and improve medical professionals' knowledge, perceptions and attitudes regarding cardiac rehabilitation to enhance patient care and outcomes. The aim of this study was to identify the key factors influencing medical personnel's understanding of cardiac rehabilitation, including their training, experience and exposure to current guidelines. This cross-sectional observational study was conducted in the Department of Cardiology of Bangladesh Medical University (BMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh during the period from August 2022 to July 2023. In total 100 medical personnel included in the study. We found that the Mean±SD of age was 33.16±7.06 and the majority (80.0%) were female, followed by 20.0% who were male and 5.0% who were physicians. We also found that the majority of medical personnel have a positive understanding of cardiac rehabilitation. Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is underutilized in Bangladesh, including among healthcare professionals. This study aims to enhance CR awareness and integration for better patient outcomes at Bangladesh Medical University, ultimately improving cardiovascular care in Bangladesh.