Objective
To survey the cause of the cardiacs' low participation rate and poor compliance in cardiac rehabilitation. Method: Among those who admitted in the department of cardiology and chest surgery for acute care and then discharged, group 1 included 104 patients who never participated in cardiac rehabilitation, and group 2 included 47 patients who once joined in but discontinued before 7 sessions, and group 3 included 25 patients who continued it more than 18 sessions with good compliance. Questions related to the low participation rate and discontinuity and personality, psychological status, education level were asked. By SPSS, basic discriptive data were calculated. To compare the data among groups, independent t-test and Chi-square test were done. Results: In group 1, the main causes of low participation rate was lack of recognition about it (78 patients, 75%), doubt on effect (48 patients, 46.2%), poor physical condition (38 patients, 36.5%). In group 2, the main cause of discontinuity was lack of time (12 patients, 25.5%), thought of being able to perform at home (11 patients, 23.4%), poor physical condition (7 patients, 14.9%). Conclusion: To raise the participation rate and compliance in cardiac rehabilitation, it is very important to make a pitch for cardiac rehabilitation and improve program service for patient's convinience. (J Korean Acad Rehab Med 2002; 26: 790-796)
