Background: Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death and suffering in Canada. Many patients who suffer from cardiovascular disease have multiple comorbidities, such as dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, hypertension and obesity, which can significantly complicate disease management. This warrants early intervention through patient education and access to guideline-directed treatment recommendations. A digital health tool that delivers personalized education and evidence-based care guidance can empower patients, support self-management, and improve outcomes for those with complex care needs.
METHODS AND RESULTS: With support from the Cardiovascular Network of Canada (CANet) and in collaboration with cardiac specialists and a patient advisory panel, we developed VIRTUES. This web-based digital health platform delivers educational content and guideline-directed care recommendations for patients with comorbid cardiovascular conditions. VIRTUES combines current clinical practice guidelines with each patient’s medical history to provide personalized health recommendations and educational content. Six months after enrollment, patients complete a survey assessing their experience across six domains: (1) satisfaction with the platform; (2) ease of use; (3) sense of connection to personal health; (4) reduced anxiety; (5) communication with providers; and (6) perceived autonomy.
To date, N=308 patients are enrolled in VIRTUES. Of these, 39 patients (N=17 female, 43.6%) completed a 6-month follow-up survey. Overall, 69% of respondents agreed they were satisfied with the platform; 51% agreed, while 10% disagreed that VIRTUES was easy to use; 51% thought VIRTUES helped to reduce their anxiety. Only 3% disagreed with the statement that VIRTUES enhanced their autonomy in managing health. Ratings were generally consistent across sexes. A median-split analysis of younger (35–66 years) versus older (66–84 years) patients revealed that younger participants were more likely to report current improvement (35.0% vs. 15.8%), while older patients were more likely to anticipate future improvement with continued use (84.2% vs. 55.0%).
Conclusion: These preliminary findings highlight the strong potential of VIRTUES as a scalable, patient-centred digital health solution for individuals with complex cardiovascular conditions. User reports of satisfaction, ease of use, and anxiety reduction suggest that the platform effectively engages patients, facilitates care, and fosters patient empowerment. Age-related differences in perceived benefit further underscore its adaptability across populations. With ongoing enrolment, future analyses will offer deeper insight into its impact on outcomes in patients with comorbid cardiovascular disease.
