Heart conditions are on the rise in Canada, contributing substantially to patient quality of life. For example, over 60,000 Canadians will experience a heart attack per year. Other conditions, such as Atrial Fibrillation (in which the heart beats rapidly and irregularly) are also highly prevalent, with an estimated 250% increase by 2050. Unfortunately, few patients receive appropriate cardiac rehabilitation, and local in-person cardiac clinics are often inaccessible in rural regions. Patients need user-friendly, accessible educational resources based on current clinical practice guidelines. A digital interphase where patients can access their health information easily, and receive accurate medical advice can significantly help them manage their conditions. VIRTUES (Virtual Integrated Reliable Transformative User Driven E-Health System) is a digital healthcare platform developed in partnership with the Cardiovascular Network of Canada (CANet). VIRTUES is a downloadable mobile phone application using built-in algorithms specific to each patient to make guideline-directed recommendations to patients and their healthcare providers and provide educational material. VIRTUES includes the following 11 targeted modules: Blood Thinning, Post Heart Attack Care, Rate and Rhythm Control, Lipid Management, Blood Pressure Management, Physical Activity, Healthy Eating, Blood Sugar Management, Smoking Cessation, Alcohol Reduction, and Heart Failure Care. Of the 11 total modules, the following 7 provide recommendations to patients in VIRTUES: antithrombotic management, post myocardial infarction care, heart rate and rhythm control, lipid management, hypertension management, blood sugar management, and heart failure care. The remaining 4 (physical activity, healthy eating, smoking cessation and alcohol reduction) consist of simple referrals to existing local programs. The current cohort study tests the feasibility, usability, and patient experience of using VIRTUES in 200 patients across the 7 targeted modules that provide individually tailored recommendations. Each patient will only be exposed to module(s) specific to her/his condition. Testing will take place over the duration of one month per module with approximately 1,400 patients in total (200 patients enrolled in each of the 7 modules). Patients will complete a survey at the beginning of the trial to determine which modules apply to them, and they will be given a survey on their experience using VIRTUES after 2 weeks of using it, and after the one-month trial. Patients will also be given an opportunity to volunteer for a virtual focus group discussion with other patients. The goal of this pilot study is to provide insights on how to modify and improve VIRTUES based on patient feedback.
Patients with various cardiac conditions (such as those who experience a heart attack) are increasing in Canada and are in need of appropriate cardiac rehabilitation and care. Many patients do not have access to local in-person cardiac clinics, particularly in rural regions of Canada. A user-friendly mobile application with accessible educational resources and recommendations based on the most up to date clinical practice guidelines can help mitigate these issues. VIRTUES is a digital healthcare application that targets 11 modifiable modules as follows: Blood Thinning, Post Heart Attack Care, Rate and Rhythm Control, Lipid Management, Blood Pressure Management, Physical Activity, Healthy Eating, Blood Sugar Management, Smoking Cessation, Alcohol Reduction, and Heart Failure Care. Of the 11 total modules, the following 7 provide recommendations in VIRTUES: antithrombotic management, post myocardial infarction care, heart rate and rhythm control, lipid management, hypertension management, blood sugar management, and heart failure care. The remaining 4 (physical activity, healthy eating, smoking cessation and alcohol reduction) consist of simple referrals to existing recommendations (i.e., for healthy eating and physical exercise) and referrals to existing local programs (i.e., for smoking cessation and alcohol reduction). Thus, in this cohort study, the investigators will test the primary 7 modules with 200 patients for a month in order to obtain feedback on the usability of each module. The investigators will also conduct virtual focus group discussions to obtain open ended feedback on the application. This study will provide valuable feedback, which will be used to improve and adapt the VIRTUES application.