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GETTING 'BACK ON TRACK' AFTER A HEART EVENT: AN INNOVATIVE ONLINE PROGRAM FOR CARDIAC PATIENTS
Every year, 55,000 Australians have a heart attack, representing one every ten minutes. People who survive are at increased risk of another event and premature death. In order to achieve optimal health outcomes after a heart event, all patients are referred to a cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program - typically centre-based.
Unfortunately, not everyone is able to attend centre-based CR, mainly due to difficulties accessing such programs. More now than ever with the COVID-19 health emergency and social distancing restrictions limiting access to centre-based CR, there is a need for innovative e-health programs to assist cardiac patients with their recovery, especially in behavioural and emotional self-management.
The team at the Australian Centre for Heart Health (ACHH) is very excited to be launching, Back on Track, our online self-management program for people who have had a heart event, such as heart attack or heart surgery. This program is evidence-based and is the product of over a decade of world-leading research conducted at the ACHH.
The Back on Track program helps people manage their health behaviours and emotional wellbeing. The program begins with a goal-setting module, followed by four lifestyle modules relating to dietary change; physical activity; smoking cessation; and emotional recovery. Participants complete whichever of the modules are relevant to them at their own pace. The program is done online in the comfort and privacy of one's home. At this time, we are trialling a couple of different ways of providing this service, so some people will also be randomly assigned to receive two telephone calls with a specially trained facilitator to assist them in completing the online modules.
We would love to have you or a loved one join our Back on Track program!
You, or a loved one, are eligible to participate in the trial version of the Back on Track program if you have had a heart event, such as heart attack, heart surgery or stent, or unstable angina, in the past 12 months. You will also need access to a computer, tablet or smart phone, and the internet. There is no cost for doing the program.
Even if people are not eligible for the trial, we want them to still be able to do the program. All they have to do is email backontrack@australianhearthealth.org.au.
This is what people are saying about the Back on Track program......
"The program really helped me change my life for the better!"
"The program was easy to use and was available 24/7"
"The program gave me more confidence to manage my mood and lifestyle"
You can register for the Back on Track program at www.australianhearthealth.org.au
For more information, please contact Dr Michelle Rogerson on (03) 9326 8544 or backontrack@australianhearthealth.org.au.
Back on Track is an initiative of the Australian Centre for Heart Health, a not-for-profit, independent Medical Research Institute devoted to improving the lives of people living with heart disease. It is proudly sponsored by the HCF Research Foundation, has received ethics approval from the Deakin University Human Research Ethics Committee and is endorsed by the Australian Cardiovascular Health and Rehabilitation Association (ACRA).
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