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Description
This doctoral capstone project was completed within an outpatient cardiac rehabilitation setting and focused on the ACOTE areas of clinical practice skills, program development, education and advocacy. The purpose of the project was to promote the role of occupational therapy in cardiac rehabilitation while developing resources to support continuity of care following discharge. Project goals included increasing awareness of occupational therapy's role in cardiovascular health, supporting patient self-management, and creating educational resources to facilitate long-term engagement in heart-healthy behaviors and meaningful daily activities. A review of the literature identified cardiovascular disease as a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, while participation in cardiac rehabilitation has been shown to improve functional outcomes and quality of life. However, many individuals experience challenges maintaining healthy lifestyle behaviors after completing formal rehabilitation programs. A needs assessment conducted through consultation with the site mentor and interviews with outpatient cardiac rehabilitation participants revealed concerns regarding confidence exercising independently, lingering anxiety about experiencing another cardiac event, and a desire for practical home-based resources and follow-up support following discharge. To address these needs, an occupational therapy educational brochure was developed and distributed during a local American Heart Association Heart Walk event to promote awareness of occupational therapy's role in heart health and wellness. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight outpatient cardiac rehabilitation participants to gather patient perspectives regarding discharge preparedness, barriers to exercise participation, and recommendations for future resources. Information obtained from these interviews informed the development of a comprehensive discharge resource designed to support self-management, safe exercise participation, heart-healthy habits, and engagement in meaningful occupations. This capstone demonstrated leadership through collaboration with my site mentor, development of patient-centered educational materials, implementation of community outreach initiatives, and advocacy for occupational therapy's role in cardiac rehabilitation. The project advanced occupational therapy by highlighting the profession's unique contribution to continuity of care through habit formation, self-management education, health promotion, and occupation-based intervention. Deliverables included a community education brochure, patient interview findings, and a comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation discharge resource. Overall, this capstone addressed identified patient and site needs by providing practical resources to support long-term cardiac wellness beyond the clinical setting. The project demonstrated how occupational therapy can bridge the gap between formal rehabilitation and everyday life, promoting confidence, participation, and sustained engagement in heart-healthy routines.
Graduation Date
2026
Disciplines
Occupational Therapy
Degree Type
Book
Site Mentor
Jacob Stone MS EP, CSCS, CCRP
Comments
Link to presentation:
https://youtu.be/6wsqsmFs6l8