Cardiac rehabilitation and the therapeutic environment: the importance of physical, social, and symbolic safety for programme participation among women

Sutton E.J., Rolfe D.E., Landry M., Sternberg L. & Price J.A.D. (2012) Cardiac rehabilitation and the therapeutic environment: the importance of physical, social, and symbolic safety for programme participation among women. Journal of Advanced Nursing68(6), 18341846. Abstract Aim. To report an exploration of the multidimensionality of safety in cardiac rehabilitation programmes as perceived by women who were enrolled in the Womens Cardiovascular Health Initiative in Toronto, Canada. Background. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among women. Although cardiac rehabilitation is clinically effective, significantly fewer women than men participate in available programmes. The literature identifies factors affecting womens cardiac rehabilitation participation, and provides possible explanations for this gender disparity. Although safety is mentioned among the barriers to womens cardiac rehabilitation participation, the extent to which safety contributes to programme participation, completion, and maintenance remains under-explored in the cardiac rehabilitation literature. Design. We conducted an exploratory qualitative study to examine the role safety and place play for women engaged in cardiac prevention and rehabilitation at the Womens Cardiovascular Health Initiative. Methods. From 20052006, 14 participants engaged in semi-structured, qualitative interviews lasting 3090 minutes. Discussions addressed womens experiences at the Womens Cardiovascular Health Initiative. Interview transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis. Findings. Three themes were developed: Safety, which was sub-categorized according to physical, social, and symbolic interpretations of safety, searching for a sense of place, and confidence and empowerment. Conclusion. Feeling physically, socially, and symbolically safe in ones cardiac rehabilitation environment may contribute to programme adherence and exercise maintenance for women. Focusing on comprehensive notions of safety in future cardiac rehabilitation research could offer insight into why many women do not maintain an exercise regimen in currently structured cardiac rehabilitation and community programmes.