Patient experiences

People with chronic lung disease (CLD) have physical, psychological and social needs. The primary focus of PR is on reducing symptoms of breathlessness, but programmes need to be tailored to address the holistic needs of individuals. Those who attend PR have positive experiences, describing improvements in symptoms and mood. They also emphasise the social opportunities PR affords, describing the friendships they have formed and the experiences they have shared. However, many individuals with CLD do not attend PR for a variety of reasons, including time and travel difficulties. Patients often do not understand what PR involves; in consultations, patients have recommended that the programme’s content and aims should be clearly outlined. HCPs may require education to be able to deliver this information accurately and positively. It may also be necessary to offer PR in a flexible way to encourage acceptance; for example, providing classes at evenings and weekends, offering alternative modes of delivery (e.g. online and home-based rehabilitation) and making alternative activities available (e.g. dance, yoga). HCPs can promote engagement in PR by attending to individuals’ specific needs and celebrating their successes. Sustainability may be encouraged by enabling opportunities for continued peer-support.