pulmonary disorders
Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Pulmonary rehabilitation programs
Although most often pulmonary rehabilitation is conducted in a hospital or clinic, alternative strategies include home-based care, telerehabilitation, internet-based programs, and programs that require minimal resources. Some programs combine cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation. Clinical trials are underway to demonstrate the efficacy of these models ( General references ). Regardless of which model is used, expert consensus has established the essential components of pulmonary rehabilitation, which are divided into 4 domains ( General references ): Patient assessment Program components Method of delivery Quality assurance Before pulmonary rehabilitation begins, a health care provided makes an initial assessment of patient needs. This assessment is conducted in a hospital or clinic pulmonary rehabilitation center and includes the following: An exercise test A field exercise test Quality-of-life measurements Dyspnea assessment Nutritional status evaluation Occupational status evaluation An adequate pulmonary rehabilitation program includes both endurance training and resistance training. The prescription is tailored to the patient's status and goals and progress is assessed regularly. The care team ideally includes an individual who has expertise in exercise, and health care providers who are trained in delivering rehabilitation. 