A focus group study on the impact of the different components of pulmomary rehabilitation

Abstract

Background:

Multi-professional pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) has been shown to improve exercise tolerance and quality of life. It is not known which aspects of PR (e.g. exercise versus education versus social support) are found to be most helpful by patients and existing quality of life tools do not explore this issue.

Methods:

Six focus groups were held three months after PR with patients recruited from two programmes. One being a typical intensive, hospital-based scheme (Torquay) and the other, a short, once weekly programme based in various locations in the community (Plymouth).

Results:

Perceived effects of education included reduced fear of dyspnoea, improved use of benefit system and improved drug compliance. Perceived effects of social context included encouragement during exercise and smoking cessation, and new social activities amongst group members. Exercise in a safe environment increased confidence in activity and also reduced fear of dyspnoea, leading to new activities (e.g. holidays, shopping trips, etc). Patients judged PR to be more helpful than medical interventions. There appeared to be more extra-curricula social contact in the community group.

Conclusions:

Patient reported benefits of PR can be attributed to exercise, education and social context, supporting the use of multiprofessional, multi-component PR programmes. Peer group support in both programmes appear to be an important factor in behavioral change.