ABSTRACT
As the depth and breadth of cardiac rehabilitation services continue to evolve, the concept of home-based programs has become increasingly popular. However, confusion exists in the practice arena about the meaning of “home-based” terminology. Similar labels are applied to several aspects of rehabilitation that occur in the home setting at various times during the patient’s recovery. As a result, recurring questions about so-called home-based cardiac rehabilitation include: Where do these services fit into the continuum of cardiac care? Who should coordinate and deliver home-based rehabilitation services? How can home-based rehabilitation be integrated with existing facility-based programs? Therefore, the purpose of this chapter is to: (1) define home-based cardiac rehabilitation; (2) delineate when such services are delivered; and (3) discuss why home-based applications are an important component of today’s comprehensive approach to cardiac rehabilitative care.
