Volume : 6, Issue : 2, February - 2017

PULMONARY REHABILITATION AWARENESS IN SUBJECTS�S WITH CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE IN NORTH KARNATAKA; A SURVEY

Pramod Kshirasagar, Ganukumar Wadhokar, Sanjay Parmar

Abstract :

<p>&nbsp;Background and Objective: The chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide. Awareness among these patients about pulmonary rehabilitation is necessary. It affects health care system and enhances expenditure. Patient&rsquo;s awareness will also reduce hospitalization. The quality of life improves by this awareness program. The aim of this study is to make people aware about the pulmonary rehabilitation and in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients.&nbsp; Materials and Methods: A cross sectional survey done by using self made awareness questionnaire. It contains 15 items. This was validated for its content. It includes awareness and barrier questions. Patients were given the questionnaire and ask to fill. The patients were taken on outpatient basis. Results and Discussion: Two hundred patients were included in the study. Referring patients for pulmonary rehabilitations not given much importance by the physicians. In patients point of view they are unaware about vaccinations, effects of smoking on physical conditioning, eathing exercises, airway clearance techniques, effect of exercise on endurance, pulmonary rehabilitation and respiratory physiotherapy. Patients were only aware about smoking cessation and ill effects of smoking. Patients were having ease of access; economical stability and family support are 88.50%, 88% and 67.50% respectively. We found that there is strong need to make patients aware about pulmonary rehabilitation and the disease process. This will help them to improve quality of life and stop the disease process. &nbsp;Conclusion: The present study found that majority of the COPD patients was unaware about the important components of pulmonary rehabilitation.&nbsp;</p>