Each year, approximately 3,200 cardiac procedures performed at the ICM require follow-up rehabilitation. We can add to this number about 2,000 patients who, although they have not undergone surgery, also need rehabilitation related to their condition.
Two-thirds of these patients live outside the Island of Montreal. For these individuals, traveling to appointments means dealing with traffic, parking, inclement weather, and other challenges. This can sometimes even lead them to skip part of their follow-up program, which may require as many as 30 trips. This is where telehealth really comes into its own!
A Team dedicated to prevention
Among all the facilities in the Santé Québec network, the ICM is recognized as a leader in chronic disease prevention in Quebec. Its team supports patients at every stage: before risk factors emerge, after a diagnosis, or following cardiac surgery. In particular, it offers a fitness center, consultations with healthcare professionals (nurses, nutritionists, exercise therapists, and doctors), and rehabilitation programs tailored to each patient’s specific condition.
Online programs for every need
Depending on their condition and circumstances, each patient may be referred to one of the following options:
- Individual teleconsultations with a nurse, a nutritionist, or a kinesiologist for personalized monitoring of diet and physical condition;
- Tele-rehabilitation in small groups (6 to 9 people), either in a hybrid format or entirely remote, always supervised by a physical therapist, with a contingency plan in place in case of any issues;
- Self-directed monitoring at home, for patients deemed stable enough, with exercise videos and regular follow-up calls;
- Monthly webinars and online conferences, where patients can ask questions and interact with professionals;
- Short video clips that patients can watch at their own pace and share with their loved ones.
The ICM also lends the necessary equipment (exercise bikes, weights, smart wristbands) to patients who need it to exercise at home.
Satisfied patients and results that speak for themselves!
The most striking result: since the introduction of telerehabilitation, the average number of sessions per patient has doubled, from 6 to 12. Fewer travel-related constraints mean that more patients are able to complete their entire program. This is therefore a key factor that promotes recovery and significantly reduces the risk of disease recurrence.
I really appreciated being able to participate in the program from the comfort of my own home. That way, I avoided the stress of commuting, traffic, and parking—not to mention the bad weather that sometimes made the roads impassable. I felt safe and well supported as I made progress in my cardiac rehabilitation.
For a patient from Bromont, the video conference format saved him the trip back and forth to Montreal: “For 12 weeks, the physical therapist supervised the exercises I was doing at home, making corrections as needed.”
Toward greater access to care
The ICM team is working to further expand its exercise prescription and teleconsultation services. It is focusing on patients who require specialized care, particularly those with congenital heart disease. The team also aims to extend its expertise to other regions of Quebec through partnerships with other healthcare institutions. Efforts continue to improve access to specialized services throughout the province.