HERO – The Heart-Rehab-Information-Tool

The development of a digital prototype to support the information needs of patients following an acute cardiac event

Topic: aftercare, Digital health
Focus: Cardiology; cardiac rehabilitation
Method: Co-creation

Duration: September 2022 - August 2023
Status: completed
Location: Salzburg
Funding: OIS Enrichment Fund

What is the project about?

Previous research has shown that patients do not feel sufficiently informed about the course of their treatment following an acute cardiac event, such as a heart attack. For example, it is often unclear that cardiac rehabilitation is an option and how to access it. Digital technologies have the potential to convey information in a way that is accessible to the general public and available at any time, for example by providing educational materials. The aim of the project is therefore to develop a digital prototype designed to provide patients who have suffered an acute cardiac event with relevant, personalised information on the course of further treatment and how to manage their condition. A prototype will be designed in a series of workshops in collaboration with patients with heart disease, their relatives, healthcare experts from various areas of care, and a team of scientists, designers and technical developers. This prototype is then intended for use in clinical practice.

What is the goal of the project?

The prototype developed is intended for use in clinical practice to provide patients who have suffered an acute cardiac event with personalised information on cardiac rehabilitation.

Who participates in the project?

Patients with a history of heart disease who have undergone rehabilitation (for example, following a heart attack or heart valve surgery)

Relatives of people with heart disease

Healthcare professionals (e.g. medical staff, carers, therapists or anyone with experience in cardiology or rehabilitation)

How are participants involved in the project?

Together, the participants will go through the entire research process: over the course of three workshops, patients, healthcare professionals and researchers will collaborate to develop a digital prototype designed to provide health-related information for heart patients. Everyone’s experiences and ideas will be taken into account. The final prototype will then be tested by patients with heart disease. With their expertise, all participants are an indispensable part of the process!

How are participants recruited for the project?

Several recruitment methods were used:

Email and postal addresses from the institute’s internal pool of patients with heart disease
Invitations via email distribution lists in nursing degree programmes
Distribution of leaflets containing information about the project in rehabilitation centres and clinics

A total of 17 people (10 heart patients, 6 healthcare professionals and one person with a dual role) were recruited for the project.