Outpatient cardiac rehabilitation. Part IV: Options for a prospective study

Research area: Rehabilitation and occupational therapy

Duration: April 2010 - August 2011

Additional team: Heinz Tüchler
Suggested by: Association of Austrian Health Insurance Providers (HVB)
Language: German
Publication: Decision Support Document No. 48 - https://eprints.aihta.at/928

Background:
After the completion of the retrospective cohort study in June 2010 and the prolongation of the contracts between the Association of Austrian Health Insurance Providers (HVB) and outpatient rehabilitation centres of the working group on outpatient cardiac prevention and rehabilitation (AGAKAR), which is linked to an “evaluation” of phase III rehabilitation, until 2014, HVB suggested, that the LBI-HTA should prepare options for a prospective study to assess the effectiveness of phase III cardiac rehabilitation.

Aims:
Aim of this project part was to inform decision-makers in the health care systems about options for a prospective cardiac rehabilitation study (focussing on the comparison of phase III vs. no further rehabilitation) including their respective (dis)advantages, the different underlying research questions that can be answered as well as suggestions for operationalization.

Methods:
Numerous meetings with representatives of HVB, pension and health insurance and AGAKAR e.g. to determine study aims and to discuss the organisational framework.  Manual search for cardiac rehabilitation studies, their outcome parameters and assessment instruments to supplement literature of previous project parts. Sample size calculation for all potential primary endpoints based on data from the previous retrospective study and literature. Suggestion of a study design that is feasible under the given terms.