PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Janet A Ward
AU  - Gill Akers
AU  - David G Ward
AU  - Margaret Pinnuck
AU  - Sue Williams
AU  - Jayne Trott
AU  - David M G Halpin
TI  - Feasibility and effectiveness of a pulmonary rehabilitation programme in a community hospital setting.
DP  - 2002 Jul 01
TA  - British Journal of General Practice
PG  - 539--542
VI  - 52
IP  - 480
4099  - http://bjgp.org/content/52/480/539.short
4100  - http://bjgp.org/content/52/480/539.full
SO  - Br J Gen Pract2002 Jul 01; 52
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pulmonary rehabilitation programmes run in secondary care have proved to be one of the most effective interventions for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). AIM: To assess whether a pulmonary rehabilitation programme, similar to that run in secondary care, could be established in a primary care-run community hospital and whether it could achieve similar benefits in patents with moderately severe COPD. DESIGN OF STUDY: Uncontrolled prospective intervention study SETTING: A primary care-run community hospital. METHOD: Thirty-four patients with COPD aged between 5 and 80 years of age (mean = 70years) with a forced expiratory volume (FEV1) of 30 to 50% (mean = 40%) predicted were enrolled in a programme established in the activities room at Honiton Community Hospital. Patients were assessed at the start, on completion of the programme, and six months after completion, using spirometry, shuttle-walking distance, and short form-36 (SF-36) and chronic respiratory questionnaire (CRQ) scores. RESULTS: All but one patient completed the programme. There were significant improvements in the walking distance (by a mean of 100 m), in the SF-36, and in all domains of the CRQ. There was no significant change in the FEV1 or forced vital capacity. CONCLUSION: Pulmonary rehabilitation programmes can be run in community hospitals. They appear to be as effective as those run in secondary care and patients may find them easier to access.