Multi Site Cardiac Rehabilitation Programming for Residents of Northwestern Ontario

Northwestern Ontario (NWO), Canada is a geographical region with a landmass equivalent to the country of France. The region is comprised of approximately 250,000 residents with 50% residing in sparsely populated rural areas, each challenged by limited professional resources to provide health-based programs for their residents. In 2003, the Northwestern Ontario District Health Council (NWODHC) identified inequities in the delivery of Cardiac Services in NWO and made specific reference to the benefits of cardiac rehabilitation participation. Previously, these services were limited to patients living within the proximity of Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC), the sole acute care referral centre. Given the prevalence of cardiac disease in NWO, it was imperative that a cost-effective means of ensuring regional access to this program be developed and evaluated. Through the use of telemedicine technology we have enabled this disadvantaged population to gain full access to a life-changing program.