Perhaps another Covid-19 silver lining, the pandemic has prompted some of the first innovations in lung disease treatment models in 30 years.
Monash University researchers are giving new hope to people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), with a recent study led by Professor Anne Holland, Head of Respiratory Research@Alfred at the Monash Central Clinical School revealing that home-based pulmonary telerehabilitation delivered to the home using videoconferencing is safe.
This is great news for those with COPD who have not been able to travel to a rehabilitation centre during Covid-19.
While it is not equivalent to centre-based rehabilitation for all cases, home-based telerehabilitation does achieve clinically meaningful outcomes and has gone some way to improving access and service delivery.
During the pandemic, this model, designed by Professor Holland, has been rapidly implemented in clinical care at many pulmonary rehabilitation centres.
“I think we are now starting to finally see some innovation in the treatment models which haven’t changed in 30 years,” says Professor Holland.
“Working together with patients, and listening to their needs, we are starting to do things differently.
“However, we need to be vigilant around quality and define what the essential components of rehabilitation need to be regardless of the model of delivery.
“The future of pulmonary rehabilitation will involve more choices for patients and greater personalisation of programs. We are getting better at diagnosing this condition, with early diagnosis key to improving quality of life.”
Professor Holland will outline developments in treatments and new opportunities to address the research priorities of people with chronic lung disease at a virtual public lecture with the Monash Central Clinical School in the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences.
‘Thank you for asking’: Addressing consumer priorities in respiratory medicine research, will be held online from 12.30-1.30 pm on Friday, 29 October 2021.
To register for the event click here.
