title: Physical therapy practice patterns in acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The importance of the multidisciplinary approach to the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is increasingly emphasized. The present study aimed to examine the current practice patterns of physical therapists involved in the management of patients hospitalized with an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  A self-administered postal survey was distributed to the rehabilitation departments of all Canadian acute care hospitals with more than 250 beds. The survey addressed patient assessment, treatment, education and discharge planning for intensive care unit and/or ward admissions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, 66% of hospitals (n=109) participated in the study, with provincial representation mainly from Ontario (n=36 [33%]) and Quebec (n=36 [33%]). Assessment and treatment techniques did not differ greatly between the ward and the intensive care unit. Assessment focused on patient observation, pulse oximetry and auscultation, and was reported to be used 'always or frequently' by 76%, 76% and 69% of respondents, respectively. Less than 18% of respondents used a measure of functional capacity, and health-related quality of life measures were rarely used. Treatment focused on ambulatory techniques, with 78% and 75% of respondents using mobility and transfer training 'always or frequently', respectively. The most common educational topics were breathing exercises and positioning, which were addressed by 68% and 67% of respondents, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patient assessment focused on physical impairments, with little use of measures of function or health-related quality of life, whereas treatment focused on mobility, with a lesser focus on airway clearance. Further study is needed to identify the factors that impact these practice patterns.
authors: Department of Physical Therapy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
authors: Leslie
authors: L
authors: Harth
authors: Jennifer
authors: J
authors: Stuart
authors: Catherine
authors: C
authors: Montgomery
authors: Karol
authors: K
authors: Pintier
authors: Susan
authors: S
authors: Czyzo
authors: Kylie
authors: K
authors: Hill
authors: Roger
authors: R
authors: Goldstein
authors: Dina
authors: D
authors: Brooks
mesh_terms: D001945:Breathing Exercises; D018450:Disease Progression; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D010351:Patient Discharge; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000628:therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires