Informal carers and peer support in pulmonary rehabilitation: an underutilized resource?

Patel, Suhani; Man, William D.-C.; Roberts, Nicola J.

Abstract

Purpose of review
The aim of this review is to discuss the recent literature relating to the involvement of informal carers and peer support in pulmonary rehabilitation.

Recent findings
Informal carers and peer support have been identified by both patients and healthcare workers as a crucial component in the care of those with chronic respiratory disease at home. Pulmonary rehabilitation, a cornerstone in the management of patients with breathlessness, is limited in its clinical effectiveness by poor referral, uptake and completion rates. Engagement of informal carers and support from peers may help maximize the utilization of pulmonary rehabilitation.

Summary
This review highlights the need for more good-quality randomized controlled trials in identifying suitable interventions that may increase uptake and completion of pulmonary rehabilitation programmes. Qualitative studies have highlighted the potential for informal carers and peer support to play a key role in the design of research programmes, and in the delivery of pulmonary rehabilitation. This needs to be addressed in future research.

Citation

Patel, S., Man, W. D., & Roberts, N. J. (2020). Informal carers and peer support in pulmonary rehabilitation: an underutilized resource?. Current Opinion in Supportive and Palliative Care, 14(3), 213-218. https://doi.org/10.1097/spc.0000000000000517

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Online Publication Date: Jul 28, 2020
• Publication Date: 2020-09
• Deposit Date: Aug 30, 2022
• Journal: Current Opinion in Supportive & Palliative Care
• Print ISSN: 1751-4258
• Electronic ISSN: 1751-4266
• Publisher: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 14
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 213-218
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/spc.0000000000000517
• Keywords: Critical Care and Intensive Care Medicine; Oncology (nursing); Oncology; General Medicine
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/2899192