Great Interest in Developing New Services
A large meeting on eCardiacRehab at Haukeland University Hospital recently gathered participants from both Norway and abroad. In total, over 100 participants got to hear about digital cardiac rehabilitation and the development of new services.
*Bilde*
Professor and Project Leader Tone M. Norekvål from the Cardiology Department at Haukeland University Hospital
Among the participants and speakers at the meeting were Clara Gjesdal, Deputy Managing Director of Helse Bergen, and City Council Leader Christine Meyer. Other contributors included Helse Vest, ForHelse, the Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, the University of Bergen, YouWell, and patient representatives.
“The diversity of speakers is a clear signal that we are collaborating to develop new healthcare services. In the audience, there were also many former patients and other interested parties,” said Professor and Project Leader Tone M. Norekvål from the Cardiology Department at Haukeland University Hospital.
Time and Place Are the Key Differences
eCardiacRehab is an electronic program for heart patients to follow during their rehabilitation. The program shares many similarities with in-hospital heart rehabilitation, except that patients can complete it at any time and from the comfort of their homes.
According to Norekvål, time and place are the main differences from traditional heart rehabilitation.
“However, we must evaluate whether digital services are equally effective. There are too few studies on this,” she emphasized.
*Bilde*
Alf Johannes Agcaoili Borge is a former heart patient and contributed to developing the digital rehabilitation program. Borge also gave a presentation during the meeting.
One of those who contributed to the development of the digital program, and who gave a presentation at the meeting last week, is 40-year-old Alf Johannes Agcaoili Borge. He suffered a heart attack at the age of 36 and benefited greatly from traditional cardiac rehabilitation.
When eCardiacRehab received 16 million NOK from the Research Council last year, he was interviewed and said:
- I believe heart rehabilitation should be mandatory after heart disease, and I hope that a digital heart rehabilitation program can enable more people to participate. This could benefit those living in areas without access to such programs and those who, for various reasons, cannot attend even if a program is available.
He added that the benefits of participating are significant.
- Heart disease is something you live with for the rest of your life. Through heart rehabilitation, you become part of a community and gain confidence regarding diet, medication, and exercise, he emphasized.
Read More about the Funding and Borge
16 Million to eCardiacRehab - Helse Bergen HF (weblink)
Close Follow-Up
eCardiacRehab includes videos, animations, and explanatory texts. Patients receive information about what is important after being discharged from the hospital. A video demonstrates specific exercises patients must perform as part of their treatment. The program also offers real-time group training with a physiotherapist and guidance on diet, medication, and quitting nicotine. Patients set their own goals and record their progress in the program, such as physical activity. Participants will visit the hospital at the program's start and end, and there will also be digital meetings along the way.
“It’s important to emphasize that patients receive close follow-up and are not left alone online. This way, more patients can be offered vital secondary preventive treatment, which is strongly recommended in international guidelines,” said Tone M. Norekvål.