Strategies to Improve Adherence to Supplemental Oxygen Therapy

Abstract

The prescription of home oxygen for chronic lung disease patients is life-changing for patients and their families. Home oxygen therapy is a physically cumbersome and socially significant treatment, as well as an emotional one that announces disease progression. Existing evidence for the benefits of home oxygen has large gaps and varies across diagnoses; yet, for many patients, oxygen provides the sole treatment for palliation of breathlessness, fatigue, and anxiety. The problems reported by patients using supplemental oxygen have added to our understanding of barriers to adherence and include inadequate and late education, equipment restrictions, and poor communication and problem-solving strategies with healthcare professionals and oxygen suppliers. Healthcare professionals are often unprepared and uninformed regarding regulatory and reimbursement realities, and inadequate equipment and services from durable medical equipment companies that now define ambulatory oxygen. Larger portable systems may negatively affect adherence, physical activity, and HRQoL. Potential life-changing consequences of home oxygen therapy include loss of independence and ability to safely and comfortably leave home for extended periods, engage socially, work, and exercise. Successful use of home oxygen therapy is multifactorial and requires early interventions including patient and family education, and communication between the patient, healthcare professional, and oxygen supplier.