Conclusions There is a dearth of evidence on the implementation of task-shifting strategies to reduce the burden of CVD in LMICs .
Objective To evaluate evidence from published r and omised controlled trials ( RCTs ) for the use of task-shifting strategies for cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) risk  reduction in low-income and middle-income countries ( LMICs ) .
Effects of a postdischarge transitional care programme for patients with coronary heart disease in China: a randomised controlled trial.
AIM To test the effects of a postdischarge transitional care programme among patients with coronary heart disease . BACKGROUND . Coronary heart disease is a leading cause of death worldwide . Effective postdischarge care can help patients maintain a healthy lifestyle and thereby control the risk factors . Transitional care is under-developed in mainl and China . DESIGN A r and omised controlled trial . METHOD The control group ( n = 100 ) received routine care and the study group ( n = 100 ) received the postdischarge transitional care programme , which consisted of predischarge assessment , structured home visits and telephone follow-ups within four weeks after discharge .  Subjects were recruited in 2002 - 2003 , with data collected at baseline before discharge , two days and four and 12 weeks after discharge . RESULTS Participants in the study group had significantly better underst and ing in diet , medications and health-related lifestyle behaviour at day 2 and in weeks 4 and 12 and better underst and ing in exercise at weeks 4 and 12 . There were significant differences between the control and study groups in diet and health-related lifestyle at day 2 and weeks 4 and 12 , in medication at weeks 4 and 12 and exercise at week 12 . There was no difference in hospital readmission between the two groups . The study group was very satisfied with the care . There was no difference in willingness to pay for nurse follow-up services between groups . CONCLUSION This study is an original effort to establish and test a nurse-led transitional care model in China . Results demonstrate that transitional care is effective in mainl and China , concurring with studies done elsewhere . RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE This study has constructed a transitional care model for patients with coronary heart disease in the context of the Chinese population which is effective in enhancing healthy lifestyle among these patients
Conclusions There is a dearth of evidence on the implementation of task-shifting strategies to reduce the burden of CVD in LMICs .
Objective To evaluate evidence from published r and omised controlled trials ( RCTs ) for the use of task-shifting strategies for cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) risk  reduction in low-income and middle-income countries ( LMICs ) .