Study Title
Evaluation of a 4-Week Interdisciplinary Primary Care Cardiovascular Health Programme: Impact on Knowledge, Mediterranean Diet Adherence, and Biomarkers.
Principal Investigator
Lydia Tegwyn Mosher, Cindy Bizerra, Katelyn Davies, Jamie A Seabrook, Justine Keathley.
Affiliation
East Elgin Family Health Team, Brescia University College, The University of Western Ontario, University of Guelph.
Start Date
May 2019.
End Date
March 2023.
Study Type
Longitudinal cohort study.
Study Objective
To evaluate changes in knowledge, Mediterranean Diet adherence, and cardiovascular biomarkers among participants of a 4-week interdisciplinary cardiovascular health program and compare outcomes between in-person and virtual delivery due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Short Abstract
This longitudinal cohort study assessed the effectiveness of a 4-week interdisciplinary cardiovascular health program on Mediterranean Diet adherence, knowledge improvement, and changes in biomarkers such as blood pressure and cholesterol. Participants showed significant improvements in diet adherence and knowledge after 6 months, with no significant differences between in-person and virtual program delivery. There were no significant changes in cardiovascular biomarkers, possibly due to the healthy baseline levels of participants.
Study Design
A longitudinal cohort study using a pragmatic design, comparing in-person and virtual program outcomes.
Population
Adults aged 18 years or older referred by healthcare professionals or self-referred, with no exclusion criteria.
Sample Size
37 participants (15 in-person, 16 virtual).
Inclusion Criteria
Adults aged 18 or older attending the program, with no additional exclusion criteria.
Exclusion Criteria
None specified.
Intervention/Exposure
Participation in the Get Heart Smart (GHS) cardiovascular health program, either in-person or virtually.
Outcome Measures
Primary: Change in Mediterranean Diet adherence.
Secondary: Changes in knowledge scores, blood pressure, lipid profiles, and HbA1c.
Funding Source
No specific grant declared.
Collaborating Institutions
East Elgin Family Health Team, The University of Western Ontario, University of Guelph.
Ethics Approval
Approved by Western University Health Science Research Ethics Board (HSREB #113852).
Publication Status
Published in BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health, 2024.
Keywords
Cardiovascular health, Mediterranean Diet, interdisciplinary care, primary care, biomarkers.
Data Collection Methods
Data collected at three time points: baseline, 4 weeks, and 6 months, including questionnaires, blood pressure, lipid profiles, and HbA1c levels.
Primary Data Availability
Available upon reasonable request.
Contact Information
Dr. Justine Keathley,