The lay health worker-patient relationship in promoting pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) in COPD: What makes it work?
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Volume
16
Publisher
DOI
10.1177/1479973119869329
Journal
CHRONIC RESPIRATORY DISEASE
ISSN
1479-9723
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Lay health workers (LHWs) can improve access to services and adherence to treatment, as well as promoting
self-care and prevention. Their effect in promoting uptake and adherence in pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) for
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has not been tested. PR is the most effective treatment for the
symptoms and disability of COPD, but this effectiveness is undermined by poor rates of completion. Trained
LHWs with COPD, who also have first-hand experience of PR, are well placed to help overcome the
documented barriers to its completion. The relationship between LHWs and patients may be one of the
keys to their effectiveness but it has been little explored. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were used with
the aim of examining the LHW-patient partnership in a feasibility study of trained PR-experienced LHWs used
to support COPD patients referred to PR. Twelve volunteers with COPD who completed LHW training
supported 66 patients referred for PR. All 12 of these LHWs gave end-of-study interviews, 21 COPD patients
supported by LHWs were also interviewed. Patients reported that the LHWs were keen to share their
experiences of PR, and that this had a positive impact. The enthusiasm of the LHWs for PR was striking.
The common bond between LHWs and patients of having COPD together with the LHWs positive, first-hand
experience of PR were dominant and recurring themes in their relationship.
Authors
Gilworth, G; Lewin, S; Wright, AJ; Taylor, SJC; Tuffnell, R; Hogg, L; Hopkinson, NS; Singh, SJ; White, PCollections
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