title: Acceptability and feasibility of pulmonary rehabilitation for  COPD: a community qualitative study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is second in importance to smoking cessation treatment in the management of chronic  obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Access to the service is limited and less than half of those referred complete the treatment.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We assessed the obstacles to participation in PR among COPD patients in a community-based PR programme and associated  general practices.
  
  
  METHODS
  A qualitative interview study was conducted among COPD patients who completed the PR treatment, those who did not  complete or declined treatment, and patients never referred. Participants were invited by letter from their own general practitioners or  from the PR service. Views on exercise, disease education, social contact, group activity, accessibility, location, role of referrer, and support  for participation were assessed. Data were analysed using the framework approach.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-four patients (28%, 13 male, 12 not referred) were interviewed. The acceptability of PR was the major concern. Feasibility  of attending was an issue for some. Perceptions of PR and of exercise were highlighted. How a smoker might be seen, the suitability of  group activity, and the views of professionals were influential, as were positive and negative recommendations. The location of the centre  was important. Participants' willingness or reluctance to take on something new was a central element of the decision. Many would  welcome the role of experienced patients in introducing the treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For patients who refused referral to PR, had not completed a course, or had yet to be referred, the way the service was  introduced was an important determinant of willingness to participate.
authors.affiliation: King's College London, King's Health Partners, Department of Primary Care and Public Health Sciences, London, UK.
authors.forename: Lynda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: Lauren
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hogg
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: White
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*