Motivating and Engaging Pulmonary Rehabilitation Patients

Background:Lung disease compromises breathing, decreases activity and decreases quality of life. The purpose of this study is to investigate innovative strategies used by pulmonary rehabilitation leaders to keep patients motivated and engaged in completing pulmonary rehabilitation, thus increasing quality of life. Methods:This study, approved by the International review board, utilizes a descriptive design gathering information through the eyes of pulmonary rehabilitation leaders. To gain a better understanding of the ways that leaders keep patients motivated to complete pulmonary rehabilitation, this researcher administered an questionnaire asking participants the various strategies they use to keep patients motivated in completing pulmonary rehabilitation. Results:A summary of the responses from completed surveys shows that constant positive reinforcement, maintaining flexibility, giving individualized attention, placing patients in social networks that work for them, and providing healthy foods helped keep patients engaged. Keeping the environment fun and offering any needed assistance including psychosocial, resolving home care and medication issues also kept patients motivated. Survey participants believed that patient success and motivation could be enhanced through the pulmonary rehabilitation leader. Paying attention to the patient’s needs, helping them resolve problems as well as creating an environment that is positive and supportive helped keep patients motivated. Respondents wrote that PR leader possess the skills and knowledge to engage the patient and learn patient interests. Improvements in QOL, depression, and functioning are a few indicators of patient motivation and success noted by the respondents. Leaders were motivated by seeing the disease process and its effects on both the patient and family as well as by improvements in patient’s overall status. Conclusions:Pulmonary rehabilitation has become an important treatment modality prescribed by doctors for those with lung disease that increases quality of life. Information gained from literature of reasons why patients don’t comply as well as responses gained from leaders in PR to enhance patient compliance can be utilized to keep patients motivated. Survey results show listening, support, socialization, comfort, and education all increase QOL for patients and all help increase the likelihood that patients will be motivated to complete pulmonary rehabilitation. Thus, increasing quality of life.