INCREASED PARTICIPATION IN CORONARY GROUP S BY MEANS OF AN OUTPATIENTCARE PROGRAM

The participation in coronary groups represents an important part of t he third phase of cardiac rehabilitation in Germany. Several studies h ave revealed that blue-collar workers were in the minority in these gr oups. In order to support blue-collar workers after myocardial infarct ion to join coronary groups, the Teutoburger-Wald clinic established a special outpatient care program. One year after the inpatient rehabil itation program, 46 patients were contacted by phone and visited at ho me by a social worker. The control group consisted of 41 patients. Aft er one year, 57% of patients of the intervention group had joined a co ronary group. The difference to the control group (27%) was significan t. The results emphasize the motivating effect of the outpatient care program as a link between the second and third phase of cardiac rehabi litation. To enhance the acceptance for coronary groups, a modificatio n of the group program is recommended.