Kick-off seminar for eCardiacRehab
In early December, a kick-off seminar for the eCardiacRehab project took place at Haukeland University Hospital. The project is funded by the Research Council of Norway. Professionals from diverse healthcare sectors, cardiac patients along with their relatives, and collaborative associated partners were invited to an all-day seminar.
The eCardiacRehab is a digital cardiac rehabilitation programme designed for patients who have undergone percutaneous coronary intervention. The programme aims to strengthen patients' self-management of their own health and facilitate necessary lifestyle changes to prevent new cardiac events. Until now, eCardiacRehab has received innovation- and research funding from the Western Norway Regional Health Authority. Now, the Research Council of Norway (NRC) has granted eCardiacRehab 16 million NOK to implement a digital cardiac rehabilitation programme for patients with coronary artery disease. The seminar held on December 4th, marked the start of the NRC research project.
The kick-off seminar featured interesting and relevant lectures, with Professor Jan Schjøtt guiding the assembly throughout the day. Assistant Director at the Western Norway Regional Health Authority, Ola Jøsendal delivered a presentation on Innovation in health services from a Western Norway Regional Health Authority perspective. He was followed by vice CEO Randi-Luise Møgster at Helse Bergen Health Trust, who talked about digital health services from a collaborative perspective. She stressed the importance of not only considering the “how”, but also establishing the “why”. This approach facilitates a smoother transition towards change.
- We must keep in mind the brain! It is not interested in embracing change, so we must introduce new ways of thinking, Møgster said.
Principal investigator and professor Tone M. Norekvål provided an update on the project’s process and showed segments of the eCardiacRehab programme to an audience that responded positively.
Professor Eva Gerdts emphasized the importance of recognizing that cardiovascular disease is a condition that not only affects men. In fact, as much as 35% of first-time myocardial infarctions in 2021 occurred in women.
Professor Christian Moltu discussed mental health in acute critical illness and his talk was followed by specialist physiotherapist Vibeke Løckra who addressed the topic of “Training as medicine”. Associate professor Leonora Bergsjø then focused on digital ethics. Bergsjø challenged the audience with a mental test and gave an overview of the necessary focus one must have in the digital world.
- Mental difficulties, lability and being overwhelmed are normal crisis responses to acute critical illness, said Professor Moltu.
Postdoctoral fellow and project coordinator Trond R. Pettersen delivered a presentation on medication adherence and emphasized the importance of informing patients about their medications and possible side effects. As he said:
- Medicines do not work in patients who do not take them!
Merete Landaas, Chair of the board, LHL Bergen, and patient representative in eCardiacRehab, delivered a presentation highlighting the users’ perspectives and how it should be exercised. Users should be included in the early phases of a project, kept informed, and should be able to influence the outcome. Landaas praised the eCardiacRehab team for their dedication to these principles, ensuring that users feel both acknowledged and valued.
- We are both seen and heard, and our opinions matter, emphasised Landaas.
General practitioner Jan Ove Tryti presented the perspective of general practitioners on digital health programmes, while Associate Professor Janet Vroomen from the University of Amsterdam ended the day discussing cost-effectiveness of such programmes.