Dr. Randal J. Thomas

But the timing and the coverage is really similar. The implementation of the program is individualized according to the patient's own needs.

But the timing and the coverage is really similar. The implementation of the program is individualized according to the patient's own needs.

Yeah. And this is one of the great things about cardiac rehabilitation too. It's a team. And so the physicians are there to help, uh, assess patients, make sure they're stable, assess any problems they're having along the way, make sure the program is safe. Um, There are nurses that help with those assessments and implementation of the program, checking patients as they come in.

Yeah. And this is one of the great things about cardiac rehabilitation too. It's a team. And so the physicians are there to help, uh, assess patients, make sure they're stable, assess any problems they're having along the way, make sure the program is safe. Um, There are nurses that help with those assessments and implementation of the program, checking patients as they come in.

And we have exercise physiologists, clinical exercise physiologists who are trained to do exercise therapy in patients with heart disease. We have dieticians. We have social workers and psychiatrists who help us in the psychological aspect of recovery. We have physical therapists who help us because a large percentage of our patients have hip pain and knee pain and other limitations.

And we have exercise physiologists, clinical exercise physiologists who are trained to do exercise therapy in patients with heart disease. We have dieticians. We have social workers and psychiatrists who help us in the psychological aspect of recovery. We have physical therapists who help us because a large percentage of our patients have hip pain and knee pain and other limitations.

We connect with sleep specialists and diabetes specialists and hypertension specialists. So we're connecting all throughout. But the people who deliver the care actually are mainly the exercise physiologists and the nurses. at least here in the United States. In other countries, it varies somewhat. In many countries around the world, physicians have more of a hands-on role and nurses.

We connect with sleep specialists and diabetes specialists and hypertension specialists. So we're connecting all throughout. But the people who deliver the care actually are mainly the exercise physiologists and the nurses. at least here in the United States. In other countries, it varies somewhat. In many countries around the world, physicians have more of a hands-on role and nurses.

And in some countries, more physical therapists take over and help with this. But here in the United States, it's primarily exercise physiologists and nurses who help.

And in some countries, more physical therapists take over and help with this. But here in the United States, it's primarily exercise physiologists and nurses who help.

Yeah, usually the nurse will be the one to meet the patient. I mean, we have a desk person, of course, to check people in.

Yeah, usually the nurse will be the one to meet the patient. I mean, we have a desk person, of course, to check people in.

The person who helps with the evaluation initially, usually the nurse, and the exercise physiologist work together with the nurses. The nurse does a medical evaluation, and in many centers, a physician does part of that. or all of that. And then there's a team approach or some assessments done initially to see where they are, what their needs are, and a baseline functioning and needs and so forth.

The person who helps with the evaluation initially, usually the nurse, and the exercise physiologist work together with the nurses. The nurse does a medical evaluation, and in many centers, a physician does part of that. or all of that. And then there's a team approach or some assessments done initially to see where they are, what their needs are, and a baseline functioning and needs and so forth.

And then those are tracked over time and repeated so they can measure progress. And those repeated measurements are done by the same people too. But the team members are introduced along the way as needed. Dietitian, our patients all see a dietitian at least once. And for those who need a lot of help, I'll see them more than that.

And then those are tracked over time and repeated so they can measure progress. And those repeated measurements are done by the same people too. But the team members are introduced along the way as needed. Dietitian, our patients all see a dietitian at least once. And for those who need a lot of help, I'll see them more than that.

And for those who, and we do some initial evaluation for depression, which is a very common thing after a heart attack. For those who have depression, we make sure they get plugged in for evaluation and management for those needs. Same thing for sleep apnea, diabetes, et cetera. So depending on their needs, after that initial assessment, we'll design a treatment plan for them

And for those who, and we do some initial evaluation for depression, which is a very common thing after a heart attack. For those who have depression, we make sure they get plugged in for evaluation and management for those needs. Same thing for sleep apnea, diabetes, et cetera. So depending on their needs, after that initial assessment, we'll design a treatment plan for them

to help them get in to receive the care that they need.

to help them get in to receive the care that they need.