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Australian Journal of Primary Health Australian Journal of Primary Health Society
The issues influencing community health services and primary health care
RESEARCH ARTICLE

‘This is a forever project’: supporting lifestyle changes in a regional Queensland community-based cardiac rehabilitation program

Wendy Madsen
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

CQUniversity, Locked Bag 3333, Bundaberg, Qld 4670, Australia. Email: w.madsen@cqu.edu.au

Australian Journal of Primary Health 19(3) 178-183 https://doi.org/10.1071/PY11137
Submitted: 4 November 2011  Accepted: 22 May 2012   Published: 22 June 2012

Abstract

Cardiac rehabilitation programs throughout the world have struggled for several years to attract more participants and facilitate behaviour changes in these clients. Over the past few years, there has been an increased level of attention in the role that self-efficacy and social support may play in this respect. The main aim of this study was to explore self-efficacy and social support within a regional, community-based cardiac rehabilitation program that does not adhere to traditional cardiac rehabilitation structures. Twelve participants were interviewed and two major themes emerged from the thematic analysis of the interview transcripts: making personal lifestyle changes; and supportive environment for lifestyle changes. Although this study is exploratory in nature, it has highlighted the significance of social support from within a program as opposed to participants’ friends and family, the subject of most social-support research. It also contributes to the challenges others are starting to make regarding the limited timeframes associated with traditional cardiac rehabilitation programs, suggesting more time may be needed to build firmer psychosocial foundations for behaviour change after cardiac events.


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