Patients’ Care Transition in Cardiac Rehabilitation: A Scoping Review on Facilitators and Challenges Related to Referral and Enrolment

Background. Despite existing evidence on the efcacy of cardiac rehabilitation (CR), programs are underutilized. Factorsafecting referral and enrolment in hospital-based CR were identifed; however, research into factors afecting referral andenrolment in community-based CR is lacking. Aim. Te purpose of this scoping review is to identify and synthesize facilitatorsand challenges in the transition of patient care from hospital to community healthcare services and how they infuence CRreferral and enrolment. Method. PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Scopus, ProQuest, and Web of Science databases were searchedfor relevant publications. Te data were analysed using thematic analysis by Braun and Clarke. Te study followed the PRISMAextension for scoping reviews and the Joanna Briggs Institute’s model. Result. In total, 36 studies were included in this analysis.Te results show that facilitators and challenges for referral and enrolment in CR form a complex interaction. Factorsinfuencing referral and enrolment may be setting-dependent or -independent. However, each setting may infuence the entiretransition. Conclusion. Te patient decision-making process regarding CR may begin in the hospital, indicating that this periodis the right time to encourage CR enrolment. To support patient transition, healthcare professionals at hospitals requireknowledge of CR and the ability to prioritize patient support. Ofering an initial meeting at a local site may decrease patientprejudice and facilitate enrolment.