From Curriculum to Clinical Practice: Cardiac Rehabilitation Education and Preparedness Among Physiotherapists in Brazil.

BACKGROUND

Cardiac rehabilitation is an essential component of cardiovascular care; however, little is known about how physiotherapists are prepared for cardiac rehabilitation practice in Brazil. This study examined undergraduate cardiac rehabilitation education, perceived preparedness, and institutional perspectives.

METHODS

A sequential explanatory mixed-methods design was employed. An online survey was completed by 151 physiotherapists and 16 undergraduate program coordinators across Brazil. Quantitative data assessed exposure to cardiac rehabilitation training, clinical experience, and perceptions of preparedness. Qualitative data were collected through six focus groups with physiotherapists (n=15) and individual interviews with program coordinators (n=2). Data were analysed descriptively and thematically, and findings were integrated using a joint display approach.

RESULTS

Although 54.3% of physiotherapists reported receiving undergraduate cardiac rehabilitation training and 63.6% completed practical internships, only 18.5% felt adequately prepared for cardiac rehabilitation practice. Lack of specialised knowledge was the most frequently reported barrier. Most physiotherapists and coordinators supported deeper curricular integration of cardiac rehabilitation. Qualitative findings indicated that while cardiac rehabilitation is formally embedded in curricula, limited experiential depth, restricted exposure to acute care settings, and institutional constraints influenced perceived readiness.

CONCLUSION

Cardiac rehabilitation education is structurally established in Brazilian undergraduate physiotherapy programs; however, variability in experiential training and institutional capacity affects clinical preparedness. Strengthening supervised clinical immersion and interprofessional integration may enhance workforce readiness.