Improving chronic lung disease management in rural and remote Australia: The Breathe Easy Walk Easy programme

Johnston, Catherine; Maxwell, Lyndal; Boyle, Eileen M.; Maguire, Graeme; Alison, Jennifer A.

doi:10.1111/j.1440-1843.2012.02269.x

Cited by 10 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…There are no published data on utilisation of cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation services by Aborigines in Tasmania, but workers in both Aboriginal health and rehabilitation sectors report almost no participation. Recent initiatives include training healthcare practitioners to deliver culturally appropriate pulmonary rehabilitation to Aborigines [10]. A cardiac rehabilitation program structured and delivered by an urban Aboriginal Medical Service was well attended and reduced cardiovascular risk factors [11].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tasmanian Aborigines step up to health: evaluation of a cardiopulmonary rehabilitation and secondary prevention program

Davey

Moore²,

Walters

2014

BMC Health Serv Res

102

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BackgroundAlthough the burden of cardiopulmonary diseases in the Aboriginal community is high, utilisation of rehabilitation services has been poor. We evaluated the uptake and effectiveness of a cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation program specifically designed and provided for the Aboriginal community, by the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre, for people with diagnosed chronic heart or respiratory disease and those at high risk of developing such conditions.MethodsParticipants had established chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, ischaemic heart disease or chronic heart failure or were at high risk of developing such diseases because of multiple risk factors. Rehabilitation programs (n = 13) comprised two exercise and one education session per week over eight weeks. Data, collected at baseline and on completion, included health status, risk factors, attendance, anthropometric measurements, physical capacity and quality of life. Data from participants who attended at least one program session were analysed. Qualitative written feedback from participants and staff was analysed thematically.ResultsOf 92 participants (39% with an established disease diagnosis), 72 provided follow-up data. Participants lost weight, and waist circumference decreased (mean -3.6 cm, 95% confidence interval (CI)-2.5 to -4.7). There were clinically significant improvements in six-minute walk distance (mean 55.7 m, 95% CI 37.8 to 73.7) and incremental shuttle walk (mean 106.2 m, 95% CI 79.1 to 133.2). There were clinically significant improvements in generic quality of life domains, dyspnoea and fatigue. Generally, the improvements in participants with established cardiac or respiratory diseases did not differ from that in people with risk factors. Analysis of qualitative data identified three factors that facilitated participation: support from peers and health workers, provision of transport and the program structure. Participants’ awareness of improvements in their health contributed to ongoing participation and positive health outcomes, and participants would recommend the program to family and friends.ConclusionA cardiopulmonary program, which included exercise and education and met national guidelines, was designed and delivered specifically for the Aboriginal community. It increased participation in rehabilitation by Aborigines with, or at high risk of, established disease and led to positive changes in health behaviours, functional exercise capacity and health related quality of life.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tasmanian Aborigines step up to health: evaluation of a cardiopulmonary rehabilitation and secondary prevention program

Davey

Moore²,

Walters

2014

BMC Health Serv Res

102

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“…This study was a component of a larger research project investigating the impact of a training program for rural and remote health care professionals in the management of people with chronic lung disease . The main research project involved both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods .…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Increased knowledge and understanding of the issues and challenges facing health care professionals is vital to inform the development of effective strategies aimed at improving the availability and delivery of PR in rural/remote settings. Improvements in knowledge and confidence relating to the management of people with COPD, and increased availability of PR in rural/remote settings have been demonstrated following the provision of a training program for health care professionals . Factors which might have influenced the establishment and availability of PR were related to the characteristics of the health care setting (such as remoteness) and to issues around staffing and staff retention .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Improvements in knowledge and confidence relating to the management of people with COPD, and increased availability of PR in rural/remote settings have been demonstrated following the provision of a training program for health care professionals . Factors which might have influenced the establishment and availability of PR were related to the characteristics of the health care setting (such as remoteness) and to issues around staffing and staff retention . However, an in‐depth exploration of the issues surrounding availability, establishment and delivery of PR in rural and remote settings from the perspective of health care professionals has not been undertaken.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Establishing and delivering pulmonary rehabilitation in rural and remote settings: The opinions, attitudes and concerns of health care professionals

Johnston

Maxwell

Alison

2015

Aust J Rural Health

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Lack of health care professional staffing, knowledge and confidence were reported to be factors impacting the establishment and delivery of pulmonary rehabilitation. This study has facilitated a greater understanding of the issues surrounding the establishment and delivery of pulmonary rehabilitation in rural and remote settings. Further research is required to investigate the contribution of health professional training and associated factors to improving the availability and delivery of pulmonary rehabilitation in rural and remote settings.

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“…By contrast, Johnston et al . showed that even in regional and remote settings, focused programs increased health‐care practitioner knowledge and confidence in delivering management for people living with COPD and facilitated the establishment of effective PR programmes where access to such programmes is limited …”

Section: Copdmentioning

confidence: 99%

Year in review 2013: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma and airway biology

Lim

Hancox

et al. 2014

Respirology

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Improving chronic lung disease management in rural and remote Australia: The Breathe Easy Walk Easy programme

Cited by 10 publications

References 45 publications

Tasmanian Aborigines step up to health: evaluation of a cardiopulmonary rehabilitation and secondary prevention program

Tasmanian Aborigines step up to health: evaluation of a cardiopulmonary rehabilitation and secondary prevention program

Establishing and delivering pulmonary rehabilitation in rural and remote settings: The opinions, attitudes and concerns of health care professionals

Year in review 2013: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma and airway biology

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