Abstract
BackgroundThe complexity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and its different physical, mental, familial, occupational, and social complications highlight the necessity of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) for afflicted patients. However, PR for patients with COPD usually faces some barriers. The aim of this study was to explore the barriers to PR for patients with COPD.MethodsThis qualitative descriptive study was conducted in January 2019 to October 2020. Participants were 19 patients with COPD, 11 family caregivers of patients with COPD, and 12 healthcare providers, who all were recruited purposively from two teaching hospitals in Isfahan, Iran. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and were analyzed through conventional content analysis.ResultsThe barriers to PR for patients with COPD fell into three main categories, namely barriers related to patients and their families, inefficiency of PR services, and inappropriate organizational context for PR. Each category had four subcategories, namely patients’ and families’ lack of knowledge, complexity and chronicity of COPD, heavy financial burden of COPD, patients’ frustration and discontinuation of PR, lack of patient-centeredness, lack of coordination in PR team, inadequate professional competence of PR staff, lack of a holistic approach to PR, limited access to PR services, inadequate insurance for PR services, ineffective PR planning, and discontinuity of care.ConclusionPR for patients with COPD is a complex process which faces different personal, familial, social, financial, organizational, and governmental barriers. Strategies for managing these barriers are needed in order to improve the effectiveness and the quality of PR services for patients with COPD.
Highlights
The complexity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and its different physical, mental, familial, occupational, and social complications highlight the necessity of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) for afflicted patients
Participants’ experiences of the barriers to PR for patients with COPD were categorized into three main categories, namely barriers related to patients and their families, inefficiency of PR services, and inappropriate organizational context for PR (Table 2)
Findings showed that the major barriers to PR for patients with COPD were barriers related to patients and their families, inefficiency of PR services, and inappropriate organizational context for PR
Summary
The complexity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and its different physical, mental, familial, occupational, and social complications highlight the necessity of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) for afflicted patients. PR for patients with COPD usually faces some barriers. The aim of this study was to explore the barriers to PR for patients with COPD. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases in the world [1]. COPD refers to a series of conditions, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema, which are associated with the chronic obstruction of air flow in the airways. Airflow limitation in the airways in COPD is usually irreversible and characterized by symptoms such as dyspnea, cough, and sputum [3, 4]. There are no reliable statistics on the prevalence of COPD in Iran though a study in five provinces reported a prevalence of 4.9% [2]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
