Investigating patients' preferences for cardiac rehabilitation in Denmark

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Abstract
Objectives:The objective of this study was to analyze preferences for activities comprised in comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation programs among former cardiac patients from three different hospitals in Copenhagen County, Denmark.Methods:A discrete choice experiment was applied to elicit the preferences for the offer of participation in various cardiac rehabilitation program activities: smoking cessation course, physical exercise program, personal meetings with cardiac nurse, group meetings managed by cardiac nurses, and nutritional counseling guidance. The questionnaire was sent to 742 former cardiac patients. We had a response rate of 69 percent.Results:We found that preferences differed with respect to gender and age and that the offer of participation in cardiac rehabilitation activities was not highly valued by older patients, in particular among older men.Conclusions:The discrete choice experiment proved a valuable instrument for the measurement of preferences for cardiac rehabilitation. The study provides important information on patients' preferences for cardiac rehabilitation for healthcare professionals and decision makers.