Start Mapping Out Your Educational Experience
Attendees can expect to participate in expert-led, educational sessions focused on delivering better care to patients through updated practices and groundbreaking research. Each pre-meeting workshop, rapid-fire session, vendor symposium and breakout session has been designed to promote knowledge-sharing and correspond with one of six tracks critical to our specialty:
Note: Sessions and schedule subject to change. Click here to view the educational schedule by day. Click here to view the speaker disclosure information.
P101: Coaching Skills for Behavior Change
Wednesday, September 25 | 7:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Speaker(s): Roberto Benzo, MD, MS; Maria Benzo, MD, MS, PCC; Matthew M. Clark, PhD
Overview: This deep-dive, hands-on workshop on health coaching will help you acquire the skills needed to create conditions for behavior change in interactions with patients and enhance patient accountability and outcomes. Attendees will explore the fundamentals of health coaching and how to cultivate a coaching mindset, including aspects of mindfulness and motivational interviewing, and dive into hands-on learning sessions to practice skills such as silence, active reflective listening, asking open-ended questions and summarizing key points, all crucial for effective communication and building rapport with patients. The hands-on stations will also allow attendees to refine their ability to cultivate change and foster empathy and partnership. Following insights from the speakers, to roleplay coaching conversations under expert guidance.
CE Credit(s): 3.50
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the foundational principles of health coaching, including mindfulness, client-centered care and motivational interviewing, and their relevance to cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation (CR/PR) programs.
- Develop proficiency in essential micro skills, such as active reflective listening, asking open-ended questions and summarizing key points, to enhance communication and rapport-building with patients.
- Learn to effectively integrate coaching skills into the four processes of a health coaching session, culminating in the ability to facilitate meaningful conversations that promote behavior change and empower patients towards better health outcomes.
P102: Value of Rehabilitation in Frail Adults
Wednesday, September 25 | 7:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Speaker(s): Sherrie Khadanga, MD; Daniel E. Forman, MD; Cemal Ozemek, PhD, RCEP, FAACVPR, FACSM, FCEPA; Carolyn Feibig, MS, RD, CCTD
Overview: Rehabilitation for older adults with pulmonary or cardiovascular disease can be challenging as often their disease condition is coupled with physical frailty. Despite the benefits of both pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) and cardiac rehabilitation (CR), older adults are less likely to attend and yet, they have the most to gain from participation. The goal of both programs is to improve the function of older adults and in order to do so, patient assessment, exercise prescription and educational counseling need to be modified to meet the needs of frail older adults. In this multidisciplinary workshop, the speakers will discuss and demonstrate screening/assessment protocols and interventions aimed at reducing or preventing frailty among those participating in CR or PR.
CE Credit(s): 3.50
Learning Objectives:
- Discuss the clinical significance of frailty in special patient populations (older adults, women, heart failure patients).
- Review the benefits of rehabilitation among frail adults.
- Learn how to tailor assessments and exercise prescription in frail adults.
- Uncover ways to optimize nutritional status.
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B104: Nourishing Recovery: Integrative Approaches to Addressing Comorbid Depression and Malnutrition in Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Patients
Wednesday, September 25 | 2:45 – 4:00 p.m.
Speaker(s): Carolyn Feibig, MS, RD, CCTD; Megan Hays, PhD, ABPP, FAACVPR
Overview: While cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation (CR/PR) staff are most often tasked with helping patients lose weight, malnutrition is also very common and frequently undiagnosed in our patient population. Malnutrition becomes more prevalent with advancing age, frailty and in the presence of comorbidities, including depression. Depression is more prevalent in individuals with cardiopulmonary conditions than the general population and can be associated with malnutrition through various interconnected mechanisms. While depression and malnutrition are both associated with increased morbidity and mortality in cardiopulmonary disease, they are modifiable factors that can be addressed in CR/PR programs. Hear from a licensed dietitian and a board-certified rehabilitation psychologist on how to address comorbid depression and malnutrition through a holistic and integrated healthcare team approach.
CE Credit(s): 1.25
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the intricate relationship between depression, malnutrition and cardiopulmonary conditions.
- Review psychometrically-sound screening tools for identifying malnutrition and depression in CR and PR patients that are consistent with AACVPR guidelines.
- Explore evidence-based interventions that CR and PR staff can employ to address comorbid depression and malnutrition in patients undergoing CR/PR,
- Learn how a multidisciplinary approach to comorbid malnutrition and depression can enhance rehabilitation outcomes and quality of life for CR and PR patients.
RF220: Mindfulness: Full Hearts, Full Lungs, Full Lives
Thursday, September 26 | 5:15 – 6:00 p.m.
Speaker(s): Galina Kitchens, PsyD; Daniel Muhlbach, MA
Overview: The session will focus on the use of mindfulness exercises and mediation within a cardiac/pulmonary rehabilitation (CR/PR) program as a primary method of stress reduction. The presenters will share general notions regarding mind-body connection and effects of stress on cardiovascular and pulmonary conditions, ways to address resistance to the idea of using mindfulness and mediation for the purpose of improving patients’ emotional well-being and reducing their stress level while participating in the exercise program and examples and a demonstration of mindfulness exercises used within their stress management program.
CE Credit(s): 0.75
Learning Objectives:
- Explore the use of mindfulness exercises and meditation in stress reduction for the patients of a CR/PR program.
- Learn ways to introduce basic mindfulness exercises into patients’ educational component and their daily lives.
- Learn to overcome resistance to the idea of mindfulness/meditation and the esoteric stigma surrounding these concepts.
B316: Moving From Stress, Trauma and Social Disconnection to Resilience: State of the Science and Practical Strategies for Staff and Patients
Friday, September 27 | 2:45 – 4:00 p.m.
Speaker(s): Carly Goldstein, PhD, FAACVPR; Sharon Lee, PhD
Overview: Cardiopulmonary rehabilitation staff and patients are living through incredible turmoil in their individual lives, a time of societal unres, and an ever-changing healthcare landscape. Among staff, this unease manifests in a burnt-out workforce, an uptick in physical assaults on healthcare providers in the workplace and shouldering burdens that patients present to cardiopulmonary rehabilitation. Meanwhile, patients may face activity restrictions, reduced physical functioning and role changes that temporarily, or even permanently, alter their ability to stay involved with family, friends and communities. These changes to a patient’s social landscape are occurring against the larger backdrop of worsening social isolation and loneliness among Americans according to national surveys. In this session, two clinical psychologists will review recent trends in healthcare (e.g., high rates of turnover, violence against healthcare workers, staffing shortages) and the latest science to describe stress, trauma and resilience as they pertain to cardiopulmonary rehabilitation staff and patients. There will be a particular focus on how stress and trauma affect health self-management in patients and how staff who work in cardiopulmonary rehabilitation may be uniquely positioned to cultivate social well-being and connection with and among their patients. The speakers will describe practical strategies for staff members to protect and support themselves, colleagues and patients in intensive and traditional Phases II and III of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) as well as pulmonary rehabilitation (PR).
CE Credit(s): 1.25
Learning Objectives:
- Examine the latest research regarding stress, trauma and social disconnection in healthcare workers and patients.
- Evaluate how stress, trauma and social isolation impact patient self-management.
- Understand recent manifestations of this stress and policies that may protect healthcare workers and patients.
- Identify strategies for fostering resilience and social connectedness in patients and staff.
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Cardiovascular Rehabilitation and Clinical Cardiology
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B201: Cardiac Rehabilitation for Heart Failure: New Data, New Opportunities and a Way Forward
Thursday, September 26 | 10:30 – 11:45 a.m.
Speaker(s): Tara Lagu, MD, MPH; Alexis Beatty, MD, MAS; Stacey Greenway, MA, MPH, FAACVPR, CCRP; Ashley Will, MBA, RRT, RCP
Moderator(s): Quinn Pack, MD, MSc
Overview: Over the last five years, Dr. Lagu and a team of cardiovascular rehabilitation (CR) experts have conducted a National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded study aimed at increasing participation of CR by people with heart failure (HF). In this panel session, she and a group of experts will share their “lessons learned” about real-world strategies to increase CR use in this population and a road map for the future.
CE Credit(s): 1.25
Learning Objectives:
- Describe current rates of use CR for patients with HF, what the most recent data suggests about benefits of CR for people with HF, common barriers and effective strategies to increase the use of CR for patients with HF, and expert consensus recommendations to increase CR use for HF.
- Discuss how leading CR programs have identified novel strategies and refined existing strategies to increase referral, enrollment and retention of patients with HF.
- Discuss how quality improvement efforts can be maximized through use of data, engagement of leadership to champion CR, identification of organizational readiness for change and participation in learning communities.
- Discuss the future of CR for HF, including research, practice improvement and state, regional and national policy changes that could help to increase uptake of CR by people with HF. .
B205: Leveraging Digital Health Technology to Improve Cardiac Rehabilitation Delivery and Access
Thursday, September 26 | 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Speaker(s): Alexis Beatty, MD, MAS; Arash Harzand, MD, MBA; Linda Park, PhD, NP, FAAN, FAHA
Overview: This session will present innovations related to digital health technology that are used to improve delivery and access to cardiopulmonary rehabilitation (CR). Presenters will focus on special populations including veterans, women with breast cancer and patients with peripheral arterial disease. Current research endeavors will be presented to describe the evidence and potential of various digital tools to improve clinical outcomes.
CE Credit(s): 1.00
Learning Objectives:
- Describe various digital health technologies that can be used to enhance CR.
- Describe approaches to promote patient engagement by using digital health technologies.
- Determine the efficacy of digital health technologies to deliver CR.
- Identify special populations that may benefit from digital health technologies to improve access to CR.
B209: Adapting Cardiac Rehabilitation for Patients After SCAD (Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection): A Case-Based Approach
Thursday, September 26 | 2:45 – 3:45 p.m.
Speaker(s): Sherrie Khadanga, MD; Amanda Bonikowske, PhD, FAACVPR
Overview: Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a non-traumatic tear in the coronary vessel and is an important cause of myocardial infarction or ischemia in young adults, particularly among women. Treatment strategies for this condition may differ from typical management of atherosclerotic disease. While cardiac rehabilitation (CR) has been shown to be beneficial, it is underutilized in SCAD patients. Additionally, there are no clear CR-related guidelines as to how to treat this group of patients. This session will be a case-based approach in reviewing the diagnosis and treatment of SCAD, and the presenters will discuss strategies, based on scientific statements and expert consensus, to safely monitor and prescribe exercise for patients after SCAD.
CE Credit(s): 1.00
Learning Objectives:
- Describe the pathophysiology of SCAD.
- Review current evidence to tailor exercise prescription in SCAD patients.
- Address challenges in aerobic and strength training in this special patient population.
- Highlight the benefits of CR beyond exercise.
B213: Novel Therapeutics for Type 2 Diabetes, Obesity and Heart Failure: Practical Recommendations for Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Thursday, September 26 | 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Speaker(s): Sherrie Khadanga,MD; Joel Hardwick, DCEP, ACSM-CEP, CET
Overview: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) and pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) has evolved over time not only to improve cardiorespiratory fitness through exercise but also to promote lifestyle-related behaviors to manage cardiovascular disease risk factors. Given the prevalence of obesity, diabetes mellitus (DM), metabolic syndrome and heart failure, CR and PR serves as an ideal setting to monitor and, when indicated, intervene to ensure that individuals are optimally treated.
CE Credit(s): 1.00
Learning Objectives:
- Discuss the prevalence of obesity, congestive heart failure and DM in CR/PR.
- Review novel therapeutics and application for anti-glycemic agents beyond diabetes management.
- Highlight role of CR/PR beyond exercise.
- Address the challenges of exercise and glucose levels.
RF217: Common Exercise Prescription Methods: Pros and Cons
Thursday, September 26 | 5:15 – 6:00 p.m.
Speaker(s): Robert Berry, MS, ACSM-CEP, FAACVPR; Ash Walker, DHSc., MA, ACSM-CEP, FAACVPR, FCEPA
Overview: Nearly all of the benefits associated with participation in cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation (CR/PR) are associated with increases in cardiorespiratory fitness. This makes prescribing exercise at the proper intensity key for maximizing outcomes in these programs. However, recent literature revealed that few CR/PR programs in the U.S. routinely have access to graded exercise tests from which to develop exercise prescriptions. This session will review the pros and cons of the commonly used exercise prescriptions methods.
CE Credit(s): 0.75
Learning Objectives:
- Recognize the importance of prescribing exercise at adequate intensity to maximize patient outcomes in CR/PR.
- Summarize the advantages and limitations of each exercise prescription method commonly used in the United States.
- Determine the most appropriate method of exercise prescription for their program given the available resources.
B301: Predictors of Attendance at Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation: What Are the Barriers?
Friday, September 27 | 8:00 – 9:00 a.m.
Speaker(s): Katherine Menson, DO; Diann Gaalema, PhD
Overview: Despite the known benefits of rehabilitation, significant numbers of patients who qualify for pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) or cardiac rehabilitation (CR) do not attend or do not complete the recommended number of sessions. What does the current literature say on what predicts non-attendance or early drop out at PR and CR? During this session the presenters will review these predictors for both PR and CR and comment on how they have changed (or not) over time. They will also look at the barriers that are common between PR and CR, discussing potential ways to overcome said barriers, and highlight recent attempts to improve PR and CR participation.
CE Credit(s): 1.00
Learning Objectives:
- Review the current rates of participation in CR and PR.
- Identify currently reported barriers to attendance in CR and PR.
- Discuss methods for identifying and overcoming barriers to participation.
B305: Atrial Fibrillation and Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction in Cardiac Rehabilitation
Friday, September 27 | 10:45 – 11:45 a.m.
Speaker(s): Lillian L.C. Khor, Adam Oesterle, MD; Quinn Pack, MD, MSc
Overview: The American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA) in conjunction with multiple other professional societies released two key guidelines in 2023 that have direct implications for patients attending cardiac rehabilitation. The first guideline discusses the optimal management of chronic coronary artery disease and includes dozens of recommendations for treatment, including the use of cardiac rehabilitation and decreasing sedentary time. This guideline also discusses the use of SGLT-2 inhibitors, dual anti-platelets, colchicine, dietary supplements and e-cigarettes while introduceing a more limited role for beta-blockers. The second guideline discusses the classification and management of atrial fibrillation, including guidelines for risk stratification, catheter ablation, anti-coagulation, and early rhythm control. It also emphasizes the role of lifestyle (weight loss, exercise, smoking cessation) in the prevention of recurrent atrial fibrillation.
CE Credit(s): 1.00
Learning Objectives:
- Discuss the 2023 ACC/AHA guidelines for the Management of Patients with Chronic Coronary Artery disease.
- Discuss the 2023 ACC/AHA guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Atrial Fibrillation.
- Apply the new guidelines to clinical practice in cardiac rehabilitation.
RF309: Women-Focused Cardiac Rehabilitation Delivery and Strategies to Support Broader Implementation
Friday, September 27 | 1:45 – 2:30 p.m.
Speaker(s): Gabriela Melo Ghisi, PT, PhD; Theresa M. Beckie, PhD, RN, FAHA, FAAN
Overview: Women are less likely access cardiac rehabilitation (CR) compared to men, and those that do are less likely to complete the program. CR barriers are multi-factorial and have recently been characterized in women globally. These include lack of awareness of CR, cost, distance, transportation, family responsibilities and other time conflicts, as well as psychosocial issues. One of the key strategies identified to overcome women’s barriers is to offer women-focused CR, where program components are tailored to meet women’s needs or preferences in their modality of their choice. With the goal to highlight the need for women-focused CR and a practical process for implementation, the speakers will present strategies and recommendations on how CR programs can tailor any aspects of delivery to support women participants.
CE Credit(s): 0.75
Learning Objectives:
- Describe recommendations related to referral, setting and delivery of women-focused CR and how programs can apply these recommendations.
- Identify implementable strategies to optimize CR delivery for women.
- Learn about the development and implementation of a women-focused educational curriculum.
B313: Cardiac Rehabiliation: Year in Review
Friday, September 27 | 2:45 – 4:00 p.m.
Speaker(s): Paul Oh, MD, MSc, FRCPC, FACP, FAACVPR; Randal J. Thomas, MD, MS, MAACVPR, FACC, FAHA
Overview: This presentation will review recently published research (2023-2024) in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) and physical activity that rehabilitation professionals who treat patients with cardiovascular disease should understand and consider employing to further advance patient care.
CE Credit(s): 1.25
Learning Objectives:
- Review the recently published scientific literature related to the role of CR, physical activity and physical fitness as significant predictors for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
- Analyze the interactions of physical activity, physical fitness and its pleiotropic benefits for prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease.
- Assess the scientific basis for delivery of CR as a powerful therapeutic modality for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease.
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B216: Trending Topics in Nutrition
Thursday, September 26 | 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Speaker(s): Mary E. Hyer, RD, LD, CCRP
Overview: Review of diet patterns to support a therapeutic response and moving beyond BMI classification only in clinical assessment of weight and metabolic health. Review of recent controversies in nutrition and research related to the cardiopulmonary rehab patient and nutrition and practical patient centered take home advise to use in your day-to-day practice.
CE Credit(s): 1.00
Learning Objectives:
- Review of therapeutic diet patterns for cardiac rehab (CR) patients and parameters to look at for nutritional assessment.
- Discuss different nutrients in cardiovascular disease.
- Review current controversies research to back.
- Discuss practical advice/take-home messages for your patients.
B304: Managing Frailty: Implications for Prehabilitation and Rehabilitation
Friday, September 27 | 8:00 – 9:00 a.m.
Speaker(s): Ellen Aberegg, MA, LD, RD, FAACVPR; Daniel M. Forman, MD; Jonathan Myers, PhD, FAACVPR; Josef Niebauer MD,PhD, MBA
Overview: Frailty is a major health issue that is associated with poor quality of life, disability, and increased risk of falling. With the aging of the population, a greater proportion of cardiac rehabilitation patients are frail. Frailty in the context of cardiac rehabilitation is often associated with advanced age, but it can also be present in younger individuals with multiple chronic conditions. Frail individuals may have reduced muscle strength, endurance, balance, and overall functional capacity. This poses challenges during exercise therapy and may increase the risk of adverse events. The degree of frailty can be reduced significantly by prehabilitation programs prior to major interventions, and as part of rehabilitation programs in patients with cardiovascular disease. This session will focus on methods of quantifying, managing, and lessening frailty in the context of cardiac rehabilitation.
CE Credit(s): 1.00
Learning Objectives:
- Gain a better understanding of frailty and how it impacts implementation of cardiac rehabilitation
- Understand how prehabilitation can lessen frailty and improve outcomes in patients preparing for an intervention
- Appreciate how to quantify frailty and how it can be applied as a vital sign
RF312: Let’s Get Physical: Help Assess Malnutrition in the Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Patient
Friday, September 27 | 1:45 – 2:30 p.m.
Speaker(s): Brandi Suarez, RD, CNSC; Grishma Shah, MS, RDN
Overview: Malnutrition plagues the cardiopulmonary patient for many reasons and can lead to hospitalizations and poor outcomes. During this rapid fire mini-workshop for all rehabilitation professionals, attendees will learn via hands-on demonstration/application a quick and effective method for identifying malnutrition in cardiopulmonary rehabilitation (CR) patients. This includes an overview of the malnutrition assessment process and the nutrition-focused physical exam, using parameters such as skeletal muscle and subcutaneous fat loss. This session will also provide valuable tools for identifying malnutrition and optimizing the patients’ nutrition care for all rehab professionals.
CE Credit(s): 0.75
Learning Objectives:
- Recognize clinical outcomes related to malnutrition in the recently hospitalized patient.
- Identify factors in CR and PR patients that suggest the presence of malnutrition.
- Describe the components of a malnutrition assessment.
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Pulmonary Rehabilitation and Medicine
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B102: Landscape of U.S. Virtual Pulmonary Rehabilitation: The Known and Unknown Aspects
Wednesday, September 25 | 2:45 – 4:00 p.m.
Speaker(s): Aimee Kizziar, MHAL, BA, RRT-NPS, RCP, CES; Connie Paladenech, RRT, RCP, MAACVPR, FAARC
Overview: Center-based (CB) pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is well established with 40 years of substantial clinical effectiveness and safety. A growth in U.S. virtual models in the past five years has raised questions about equivalence, program heterogeneity virtual pulmonary rehabilitation (VPR) characteristics versus CB PR given the current lack of accepted PR quality metrics. The speakers will share the survey data that has emerged.
CE Credit(s): 1.25
Learning Objectives:
- Review the well-established history of clinical effectiveness and safety of CB PR.
- Discuss the data on the emergence of virtual models in the U.S. over the last five years, raising inquiries about the equivalence and program variations, especially in the absence of accepted quality metrics for VPR.
B202: Exercise and (P)rehabilitation for Heart or Lung Transplant Candidates and Recipients: Current Practice and Future Directions
Thursday, September 26 | 10:30 – 11:45 a.m.
Speaker(s): Wendy K. Cawley, BSN, RN, CCRP; Tathagat Narula, MBBS, MD, FACP; Brandyn M. Rader, MS, CEP; Bryan J. Taylor, PhD, FACSM
Disclaimer: Brandyn M. Rader, MS, CEP, will not be in attendance for this session.
Overview: Heart or lung transplantation can be an effective treatment for selected patients with advanced cardiac or pulmonary diseases. However, complications during the pre- or early post-transplant period with prolonged ICU and hospital stays cause inactivity and sedentary behavior that, compounded by immunosuppressant therapy, can deleteriously affect physical capacity and health-related quality-of-life, and prolong recovery and worsen outcomes. In this session, the presenters will discuss the evolving evidence that exercise-based cardiac or pulmonary (p)rehabilitation should be considered essential in optimizing functional capacity, enhancing health-related quality-of-life, decreasing post-operative complications and improving outcomes in heart or lung transplant candidates and recipients. Based on their clinical practice and giving case examples where appropriate, they will also detail the importance of a team-based approach in optimizing the (p)rehabilitation of such patients and consider the increasing challenge posed by patients who experience a complicated pre- and/or post-transplant course and explore the potential utility of alternative approaches to exercise training and rehabilitation delivery in these patients.
CE Credit(s): 1.25
Learning Objectives:
- Summarize the evidence that exercise-based cardiac or pulmonary (p)rehabilitation can optimize functional capacity, enhance health-related quality-of-life and improve outcomes in heart or lung transplant candidates and recipients.
- Describe the key roles and responsibilities of the multidisciplinary team needed to provide comprehensive and effective (p)rehabilitation for heart or lung transplant candidates and recipients.
- Identify the importance and benefits of integrating specialists such as physical therapists into clinical practice to promote early mobilization and rehabilitation after a heart or lung transplant.
- Recognize the practical considerations for optimizing (p)rehabilitation in heart or lung transplant candidates or recipients.
B206: Work Smarter Not Harder: Conservation of Energy in Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Thursday, September 26 | 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Speaker(s): Aimee Kizziar, MHAL, BA, RRT-NPS, RCP, CES; Veronica Encarnacion, BS, RRT-ACCS, RCP
Overview: Pulmonary rehab (PR) patients experience shortness of breath with various activities of daily living (ADLs), which can lead to fear or anxiety of overexerting themselves, causing them to become more sedentary. The session's presenters will share tools and techniques for confidently assisting these patients in working smarter not harder and demonstrate how implementing the four P’s can improve their cycle of dyspnea.
CE Credit(s): 1.00
Learning Objectives:
- Define the four P’s in energy conservation: planning, prioritizing, positioning and pacing.
- Recognize how patients can use their body and breathing techniques to help conserve their energy.
- Demonstrate applying the four P’s with stairs and/or heavy tasks at PR.
- Apply teaching of the four P’s to your shortness of breath outcomes.
B210: Change Ideas to Improve Utilization of Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Thursday, September 26 | 2:45 – 3:45 p.m.
Speaker(s): Jonathan David, MSN, RN, EBP-C, CCRP, NE-BC, FPCNA, FAACVPR, FACC; Karen A. Edwards, MS, RCEP, RRT, FAACVPR; Debbie Koehl, MS, RRT-NPS, AE-C, FAARC
Overview: Optimizing access to pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) programs is central to addressing care delivery complexity and barriers. Care access issues are multi-factorial and challenge patients, providers and the healthcare system to achieve desired patient-reported and clinical outcomes. Despite the availability of resources, gaps exist in translating guidance material to practice settings. Guidance on utilizing resources towards increasing access, referral, enrollment, participation and adherence in PR programs is critical. Engaging cardiopulmonary professionals as change agents in utilizing the change package for pulmonary programs would allow the diffusion of specific interventions and resources in creating patient and facility-centered care delivery processes, as well as maximizing the ability to manage and sustain change toward the desired patient and clinical outcomes.
CE Credit(s): 1.00
Learning Objectives:
- Introduce concepts, domains, tools and resources in the cardiac rehabilitation (CR) change package.
- Discuss translation and the utilization of the change package in PR under referral, enrollment, participation and adherence domains.
- Illustrate clinical exemplars under each domain to engage participants in relating to the implementation of best practices.
B214: Strategies for Increasing Access to Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Rural Communities
Thursday, September 26 | 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Speaker(s): Dave Burnett, PhD, RRT; Michelle S. Cochran, DNP, RN
Overview: Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) improves the lives of people with chronic respiratory diseases; however, access to PR is poor. Furthermore, the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in rural areas is almost twofold that of urban communities, and 73% of rural counties in the U.S. are without a PR program. PR clinical practice guidelines suggest improved strategies and novel PR programs should be developed to enhance access to care. This session will explain an interprofessional rural collaborative network for expanding the knowledge and training for delivering PR as well as a novel hybrid PR program that is acceptable to providers and patients, with a focus on improving access to care.
CE Credit(s): 1.00
Learning Objectives:
- Identify the most recent clinical practice guidelines and evidence suggesting how to improve access to PR.
- Describe a strategic community-based model for increasing access to PR.
- Demonstrate the preliminary results of a novel PR program.
RF218: Delivering Intentional Education for Outpatient Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Programs
Thursday, September 26 | 5:15 – 6:00 p.m.
Speaker(s): Jennifer Hart, MSc; Kevin Arnhold, MSc
Overview: Attendees will gain insight on delivering education that is intentional, peer reviewed, and customizable to their patient needs. Attendees will also learn various approaches to breaking language and social economic barriers in the delivery of vital cardiopulmonary education. Attendees will have an opportunity to present current concerns in their education delivery methods and have open discussion to share ideas with colleagues.
CE Credit(s): 0.75
Learning Objectives:
- Identify improvement opportunities across attendees' own education delivery method.
- Develop new intentional delivery methods for education, including topic templates and timelines.
- Identify communication barriers and create a plan to utilize organization resources to overcome them.
B306: Breathing Assessment and Retraining; A Complimentary Therapy for Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Programs
Friday, September 27 | 10:45 – 11:45 a.m.
Speaker(s): Julia O'Shea, RRT, BA
Overview: Many cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation (CR/PR) programs educate patients in common breathing retraining practices such as pursed lip and diaphragmatic breathing. What if your program could enhance their breathing retraining component by customizing the practices you teach patients based on their own breathing patterns? In this lecture, the presenter will take a deep dive into breathing retraining and review evidence-based practices based on the biomechanics, biochemistry and psychophysiology of breathing. Education will include basic assessment and identification of common breathing pattern disorders and treatment options to fit the individual's pattern. There will also be breathing retraining practices and a review of the use of inspiratory muscle training.
CE Credit(s): 1.00
Learning Objectives:
- Review breathing physiology and its relationship to nasal breathing, biomechanics, biochemistry, and psychophysiology.
- Review assessment of common breathing pattern disorders found in cardiac and pulmonary rehab populations and treatment options.
- Practice simple breathing practices specific to Cardiac and Pulmonary populations.
RF310: Breaking Out of the Silo: Networking Within Your Hospital System
Friday, September 27 | 1:45 – 2:30 p.m.
Speaker(s): Betsy Hart, MS, ACSM-CEP, CCRP, FAACVPR
Overview: How often have you heard - I didn't know we had a cardiac/pulmonary rehab program here? Learn to break out of the silo of your department and make your cardiac/pulmonary rehab program known within your hospital system.
CE Credit(s): 0.75
Learning Objectives:
- Learn how to create clinical rotations for RN students, Exercise Science students, and medical residents within your department.
- Learn to incorporate BHS, pharmacology, and Nutrition into your education program.
- Learn to better communicate with referring physicians and residents thru hospital EMR/communication systems.
- Learn to engage with other hospital dept meetings and collaborate on QI projects.
B314: Long-COVID and POTS: Special Considerations for Nontraditional Patients Undergoing Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Friday, September 27 | 2:45 – 4:00 p.m.
Speaker(s): Brittany Holst, MS, ACSM-CEP, EIM; Melissa McMahon MS, ACSM EP-C; Kendra Ward, MD, MS; Garett Griffith, PhD, MPH
Overview: Long-COVID with its myriad symptoms and associated limitations is an increasingly common diagnosis. Concomitantly, there has been an increase in the diagnosis of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) likely connected to the long-term residual effects of prior COVID infections. In 2022, CMS guidelines for Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) were expanded to include Long-COVID (U09.9) as a covered diagnosis. The percentage of patients with Long-COVID being referred to outpatient PR continues to increase; however, many providers lack the resources needed to create structured exercise therapies for this patient population. Specialized exercise programming focused on gradual, individualized, and progressive exercise results in greater symptom improvement despite profound baseline limitations. This session aims to provide guidance for providers and therapists less familiar with POTS exercise therapeutics. We will share programmatic data and strategies to implement exercise interventions which best impact this patient population. We will present outcome data and several interesting case studies which demonstrate program successes. There will be opportunity to discuss exercise intervention complexities, strategize best practices and engage in collaborative discussion.
CE Credit(s): 1.25
Learning Objectives:
- Perform a focused intake for patients with diagnosis of both Long-COVID and POTS.
- Understand special considerations needed when providing exercise therapies to patients with orthostatic intolerance, increased fatigue and exertional symptoms.
- Design specialized exercise programs for complex Long COVID patients with POTS.
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Program Management and Innovation
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B103: Leveraging the Collaborative Quality Improvement Model for Coalition Building, Benchmarking and Intervention Support in Michigan
Wednesday, September 25 | 2:45 – 4:00 p.m.
Speaker(s): Mary Casey, MPA; Mike Thompson, PhD; Larrea Young, Mdes
Overview: This presentation will provide attendees with a comprehensive deep-dive into the process of establishing the Michigan Cardiac Rehab Network (MiCR). Presenters will detail three action-oriented topics: 1) The formation of MiCR and its resulting collaborative efforts to improve cardiac rehabilitation (CR) utilization through data benchmarking, collaborative learning and development of best practices in CR quality improvement; 2) How MiCR and partners utilized the expertise of providers, patients and strategic advisors to develop highly-adaptable, evidence-based interventions; and 3) MiCR’s continued commitment to stakeholder engagement for continuous quality improvement in CR utilization. Each segment will provide audience-members with valuable lessons learned and other key takeaways for successful, widespread implementation.
CE Credit(s): 1.25
Learning Objectives:
- Describe how to leverage various data sources to empower data-driven decision-making at the local level.
- Coordinate the development, launch and evaluation of innovative solutions that leverage community partnerships and technology-based interventions.
- Integrate actionable strategies for engaging stakeholders to lead high-impact quality improvement initiatives at the local level.
- Demonstrate practical strategies to actively encourage and support patient participation in cardiac rehabilitation.
B203: Thriving Together: Fostering Positive Culture and Community Within Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Teams During the Rebuilding Phase of Healthcare
Thursday, September 26 | 10:30 – 11:45 a.m.
Speaker(s): Megan Hays, PhD, ABPP, FAACVPR
Overview: Cardiopulmonary rehabilitation (CR) leaders and staff are familiar with today’s challenging healthcare landscape, characterized by a complex interplay of various factors that pose difficulties for healthcare systems, providers and patients. High rates of burnout and job dissatisfaction exacerbated by the demands of the pandemic have resulted in critical workforce shortages, which can contribute to a breakdown of community and collaboration within healthcare teams. In the dynamic setting of healthcare’s rebuilding phase, positive culture within CR teams becomes paramount to improving patient and care, medical errors, employee well-being, employee engagement and staff turnover rates. In this session, Dr. Hays will review the evidence-based benefits of a positive workplace culture, explore common elements of both toxic and positive cultures, discuss actionable steps to foster a sense of belonging and community within CR teams and examine the foundational role of leadership in enhancing team dynamics and driving positive change.
CE Credit(s): 1.25
Learning Objectives:
- Examine research regarding the role of positive culture and community in the workplace.
- Discuss the essential elements of a positive team culture and how it contributes to improved patient care and well-being.
- Explore leadership’s crucial role in shaping and sustaining a positive workplace culture.
- Learn practical tools and strategies to build or revive a positive workplace culture and cultivate a sense of community within CR teams, fostering trust and collaboration.
B207: Program Manager Perspective: The Role of the Clinical Exercise Physiologist in Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation
Thursday, September 26 | 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Speaker(s): Ash Walker, DHSc., MA, ACSM-CEP, FAACVPR, FCEPA; Laura A. Richardson, ACSM-CEP, FACSM, FCEPA; Aaron W. Harding, PhD, ACSM-CEP, FAACVPR
Overview: Clinical exercise physiologists (CEPs) are allied healthcare professionals who are important members to the clinical care teams that deliver cardiopulmonary rehabilitation (CR). A survey was completed by over 300 U.S.-based CR programs in the AACVPR database and this session shares the survey's findings, which provide a unique perspective from program managers and their insights to CEPs's unique skills and abilities.
CE Credit(s): 1.00
Learning Objectives:
- Learn of the prevalence of CEPs working in CR programs from a national survey.
- Learn the minimum requirements for CEPs to be hired to work as member of the clinical team in CR from a national survey.
- Learn the skills and job tasks of CEPs working in CR from a national survey.
- Understand the trends as CEPs serving as clinical leaders in the CR workforce.
B211: Virtual Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Both in the Veterans Affairs and Private Third-Party Payors
Thursday, September 26 | 2:45 – 3:45 p.m.
Speaker(s): Kariann Drwal, MS, ACSM-CEP, CCRP, FAACVPR, ATC/LAT; Robert Berry, MS, ACSM-CEP, FAACVPR
Overview: This presentation will share the experiences from the Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Rural Health’s Home-Based Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Programs and Henry Ford Hospital’s Virtual Cardiac Rehabilitation Program, including background of development and implementation as well as aspirations for the future. n overview of the model of the programs, including team composition, program components, patient selection, patient outcomes and delivery options (i.e., synchronous, asynchronous, hub and spoke and hybrid) will be provided. Additionally, the presentation will share the importance of promoting patient individuality (individualized care, treatment plans, rapport) and program adaptability (i.e., delivery options, personnel) in the development and delivery of the program.
CE Credit(s): 1.00
Learning Objectives:
- Inform attendees on the background of the VA Office of Rural Health home-based CR and PR programs and the Henry Ford virtual CR program.
- Identify different models of virtual CR/PR (including asynchronous, synchronous, hybrid and hub and spoke).
- Describing the workflow of a typical virtual model including assessment, program components, documentation (including ITPs) and handling emergencies.
- Provide lessons learned in the importance of individuality and adaptability of virtual/ home-based programs.
B215: Methods to Develop Group Intakes
Thursday, September 26 | 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Speaker(s): Amber Sanguinetti, DHSc, CCRP; Karen A. Edwards, MS, RCEP, RRT, FAACVPR; Anne Messina, RRT
Overview: Looking for a more efficient way in delivering intakes due to the growing demand of your programs? Wondering if group intakes and/or orientations will work for your clinic? This session will provide aspects in developing a group intake process for your clinic based on how your clinic operates, how to engage your team and understand billing and ITP practices.
CE Credit(s): 1.00
Learning Objectives:
- Learn how to develop group intakes that would be suitable to your clinic's operation.
- Understand how to increase efficiencies within the intake process.
- Learn how to use group intakes to promote program adherence and decrease time of entry into your program.
- Understand billing and ITP practices.
RF219: Profile of a Dream Team for Success
Thursday, September 26 | 5:15 – 6:00 p.m.
Speaker(s): Ginny Dow RN, BSN, BC, CCRP, FAACVPR
Overview: This session will share ideas from an experienced, multidisciplinary small program that has survived and thrived budget cuts and growth since 1981. All programs feel impacted by economic restraints and increased demands to achieve successful patient outcomes. The presenter will share steps for creating a culture of strong staff cohesiveness and longevity leading to quality outcomes and improved productivity and financial success as well as provide opportunities for attendees to list ways to improve employee engagement with their own cardiac rehabilitation (CR) team, hospital administrators and ancillary department. Participants will learn how to build a sustainable structure for high reliability systems and quality patient-centered outcomes in a CR program.
CE Credit(s): 0.75
Learning Objectives:
- Learn key elements of strong multidisciplinary team dynamics and systems of care.
- Discuss creative steps to changing the culture of a team structure while maintaining respect, trust and cohesiveness.
- Define ways to build a sustainable, high reliability structure in program design to promote quality patient-centered outcomes and staff engagement.
- Describe ways to justify to administration adding disciplines to a team for program growth, patient satisfaction and quality outcomes.
B303: Harnessing the Power of Interdisciplinary Patient-Centered Care
Friday, September 27 | 8:00 – 9:00 a.m.
Speaker(s): Jacqueline F. Pierce, PT, CCRP, FAACVPR; Julianne DeAngelis, MS, CCRP, FAACVPR; Hubbard Jordan, MS, RN, CCRP
Overview: In this presentation we aim to provide a contemporary approach to collaborative patient centered care in cardiac and pulmonary rehab. We will discuss harnessing the strengths and shared decision making of an interdisciplinary workforce in order to deliver exceptional care, improve outcomes and elevate the patient experience.
CE Credit(s): 1.00
Learning Objectives:
- Describe the competency and policy framework needed to lead an interdisciplinary team.
- Optimize patient-centered care of CR and PR patients with multiple comorbidities via shared decision-making and teamwork.
- Examine real-life complex clinical cases that highlight a successful collaborative approach to enhancing patient outcomes
B307: Mergers and Acquisitions in Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation
Friday, September 27 | 10:45 – 11:45 a.m.
Speaker(s): Kara Sweere, MA, CEP, RN, CCRP; Heidi Ramsey Grafft, BS, CCEP, CCRP
Overview: Hospital mergers and acquisitions have become more common in recent years, requiring cardiopulmonary rehabilitation programs of varying sizes to merge under one organization. While this process can be complicated and difficult to navigate, key strategies can be implemented to support a smooth transition and ultimately strengthen the quality of the respective programs. This session will provide attendees with firsthand experiences in converging 20 sites consisting of cardiac, pulmonary, and supervised exercise training for peripheral artery disease programs. Details related to identifying stakeholders and forming a merger team, creating a roadmap and timeline for completion of phases, establishing standardized documentation, policies, and procedures, as well as delivering staff training to prepare for implementation will be presented.
CE Credit(s): 1.00
Learning Objectives:
- Understand and be able to anticipate challenges with convergence across sites of various sizes and resources.
- Understand the benefits associated with aligning programs across sites.
- Understand collaborative strategies that can be used in the planning, implementation and maintenance phases of the merger.
- Describe convergence of programming components, such as exercise assessments, questionnaires, telemetry systems, ITPs and referral processes.
RF311: Broadening the Scope of Exercise Therapy Intervention: Impacting Patient Populations Beyond the Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Covered Patient
Friday, September 27 | 1:45 – 2:30 p.m.
Speaker(s): Brittany Holst, MS, ACSM-CEP, EIM; Melissa McMahon MS, ACSM EP-C; Kendra Ward, MD, MS
Overview: Standard cardiopulmonary rehabilitation (CR) coverage criteria may result in limited exercise therapeutic resources for patients who could greatly benefit from these services. Insurance coverage for exercise therapy and lifestyle modification services is limited, restricting access to key patient populations that may benefit from formal exercise therapy and lifestyle modification interventions. The complexities surrounding billing and insurance coverage for these services are vast and can often create access and participation barriers. This is especially true in pediatric medicine. The Ann & Robert H Lurie Children’s Hospital has a robust volume of patients followed in preventive medicine, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) and heart transplantation clinics for whom exercise and lifestyle modification services are instrumental in improving compliance with treatment recommendations and positively impact patient outcomes. Through creative programming and relentless work with billing, compliance and other hospital committees, the hospital has created sustainable, affordable programs for these patient populations. This session will review exercise intervention program strategies to extend services to key patient populations that fall outside traditional CR program coverage. The presenters will describe program partnerships and billing options to support program structure, define program platforms and present several patient cases that demonstrate outcomes from each patient population. There will also be an opportunity to discuss program challenges, successes and program implementation framework.
CE Credit(s): 0.75
Learning Objectives:
- Implement exercise intervention programs to target key patient populations that fall outside of standard CR coverage criteria.
- Discuss strategies to deliver safe and effective exercise therapy services, understand approaches to establish provider partnerships, identify appropriate patients and implement creative solutions to bridge participation gaps.
- Understand complexities of exercise intervention service line development and learn unique strategies to enhance access through interactive and collaborative discussion.
- Understand the benefits of structured exercise and lifestyle modification services beyond the covered CR patient.
B315: Prepare for Program Certification!
Friday, September 27 | 2:45 – 4:00 p.m.
Speaker(s): Tonja Bell, MS, CCRP, FAACVPR; Julie Dunagan, MBA, MS, CCRP, CEP, FAACVPR
Overview: AACVPR Program Certification is the only peer-review accreditation process designed to review cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation (CR/PR) programs for adherence to standards and guidelines developed and published by AACVPR and other professional societies. AACVPR-certified programs are recognized as leaders in their field because they offer the most advanced, evidence-based practices and care. This session will provide an overview of each page of the 2025 certification application and insights on how to successfully complete the certification process. Programs seeking AACVPR certification for the first time and those renewing their certification are encouraged to attend.
CE Credit(s): 1.25
Learning Objectives:
- Explain the requirements for each page of the CR and PR certification application.
- Describe the Program Certification Performance Measures.
- Identify common errors and omissions on program certification applications.
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B101: Core Components of Cardiac Rehabilitation: 2024 Update
Wednesday, September 25 | 2:45 – 4:00 p.m.
Presenter(s): Todd Brown, MD, MSPH, FACC, FAHA, MAACVPR; Quinn Pack, MD, MSc
Overview: This session will provide an update on the revised AHA/AACVPR Cardiac Core Components Paper. The session will cover updates and additions to the core components since the publication of the 2007 Core Components Paper.
CE Credit(s): 1.25
Learning Objectives:
- Explain the purpose of the AHA/AACVPR Core Components Paper.
- Discuss revisions made to the Core Components defined in the 2007 publication.
- Identify new components added with this update to the paper.
B204: Oral Abstract Presentations
Thursday, September 26 | 10:30 – 11:45 a.m.
Presenter(s): Conor W. Banta, BA; Samantha G. Farris, PhD; Gabriela Lima de Melo Ghisi, PT, PhD; Lisa M. Pollack, PhD, MPH, MPT; Dereck L. Salisbury, PhD, FAACVPR; Patrick J. Schilling, BS, ACSM-CEP, CCRP
Overview: AACVPR strives to provide diverse educational opportunities for its members. During this session, authors will present their peer-reviewed research in a specific topic area, and presentations will be moderated by experts in the field.
CE Credit(s): 1.25
Learning Objectives:
- Discuss abstract research findings.
- Assess the nature and execution of the research.
- Analyze abstract research findings.
B208: Beginning Investigator Presentations
Thursday, September 26 | 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Presenter(s): Tanesha Beebe-Peat, MD; Anna Cichon, BSE; Jerian Dixon-Evans, PhD, MHA, BS; Jinghui Yang, MPT, PhD
Overview: The Beginning Investigator Award is given to outstanding researchers who are within five years of their latest degree or final training (i.e., fellowship, residency) and who have not previously won the award. Six scientific abstracts are chosen as finalists for this award, and each is given a platform presentation during a special session at the AACVPR Annual Meeting. The presentations are then judged by the AACVPR Research Committee.
CE Credit(s): 1.00
Learning Objectives:
- Discuss abstract research findings.
- Assess the nature and execution of the research.
- Analyze abstract research findings.
B212: Registry Data Analytic Center
Thursday, September 26 | 2:45 – 3:45 p.m.
Speaker(s): Todd Brown, MD, MSPH, FACC, FAHA, MAACVPR; Diann Gaalema, PhD; Katherine Menson, DO; Quinn Pack, MD, MSc
Overview: This session will update attendees on the work of the Data Analytic Center, present preliminary data from the registries and outline the process for research submissions.
CE Credit(s): 1.00
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the purpose and mission of the AACVPR Data Analytics Center.
- Learn about the variables and content of the Cardiac Rehabilitation Registry.
- Learn about the variables and content of the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Registry.
- Understand the process to submit ideas for publications.
B308: JCRP Highlights: From the Journal to Your Program
Friday, September 27 | 10:45 – 11:45 a.m.
Speaker(s): Todd Brown, MD, MSPH, FACC, FAHA, MAACVPR
Overview: This session will highlight selected studies that have appeared in the Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Prevention (JCRP) during the past year. The presenters will briefly review the rationale (i.e., importance and relevance of the study), key findings and the potential impact on cardiopulmonary rehabilitation (CR) programming. The goal of the session is to highlight the most impactful and clinically relevant research that was published in JCRP. The session will also "translate" the research results so that rehabilitative professionals can integrate the findings into their clinical practice to meaningfully impact patient health outcomes.
CE Credit(s): 1.00
Learning Objectives:
- Explain the clinical significance of selected research studies that appeared in JCRP.
- Summarize the content and the conclusions of the selected studies.
- Describe ways to apply the information conveyed in the session to programs' current practice.
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