Fresh air for weakened lungs - pulmonary rehabilitation in Switzerland 2019

Abstract

Fresh air for weakened lungs - pulmonary rehabilitation in Switzerland 2019 Abstract. Pulmonary rehabilitation traditionally plays an important role in the treatment of chronic pulmonary diseases in Switzerland. There is a good availability of pulmonary rehabilitation with 17 centers offering inpatient pulmonary rehabilitation across the country. There is good evidence that pulmonary rehabilitation is not only effective but also cost-effective, especially for the indication of COPD but also for other chronic pulmonary diseases. According to the GOLD guidelines there is an undersupply of COPD patients with pulmonary rehabilitation in Switzerland. Pulmonary rehabilitation is not only limited to the improvement of physical exercise, but also covers all the important aspects for an individual to function in everyday life. Though the daily costs for pulmonary rehabilitation are only a fourth to a thirth of the costs in a hospital. Offering pulmonary rehabilitation to the patients who also have an indication for it lies in the responsibility of the admitting doctors, the insurances and the patients themselves, who need to bring a basic motivation to participate in pulmonary rehabilitation.