Feasibility and effectiveness of a pulmonary rehabilitation programme in a community hospital setting.
BACKGROUND
Pulmonary rehabilitation programmes run in secondary care have proved to be one of the most effective interventions for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).


OBJECTIVE
To assess whether a pulmonary rehabilitation programme, similar to that run in secondary care, could be established in a primary care-run community hospital and whether it could achieve similar benefits in patents with moderately severe COPD.


METHODS
Uncontrolled prospective intervention study


METHODS
A primary care-run community hospital.


METHODS
Thirty-four patients with COPD aged between 5 and 80 years of age (mean = 70years) with a forced expiratory volume (FEV1) of 30 to 50% (mean = 40%) predicted were enrolled in a programme established in the activities room at Honiton Community Hospital. Patients were assessed at the start, on completion of the programme, and six months after completion, using spirometry, shuttle-walking distance, and short form-36 (SF-36) and chronic respiratory questionnaire (CRQ) scores.


RESULTS
All but one patient completed the programme. There were significant improvements in the walking distance (by a mean of 100 m), in the SF-36, and in all domains of the CRQ. There was no significant change in the FEV1 or forced vital capacity.


CONCLUSIONS
Pulmonary rehabilitation programmes can be run in community hospitals. They appear to be as effective as those run in secondary care and patients may find them easier to access.
Ward
Janet A
JA
Honiton Surgery, Devon.
Akers
Gill
G
Ward
David G
DG
Pinnuck
Margaret
M
Williams
Sue
S
Trott
Jayne
J
Halpin
David M G
DM
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000502:physiology; D006764:Hospitals, Community; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011320:Primary Health Care; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011788:Quality of Life; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014797:Vital Capacity / Q000502:physiology