OVERCOMING BARRIERS
Although research evidence strongly supports pulmonary rehabilitation as a highly effective treatment for many people with COPD, it is vastly under-utilised both during times of stable disease and particularly after lung flare-ups.
People often describe the ‘barriers’ to undertaking rehabilitation. In order to overcome these, it is important to identify which might apply to you and discuss them with your healthcare team. Review the list of common barriers below and click the tile for suggestions to overcome each one.
Barriers related to yourself
I am too breathless or unwell to participate
I am not bad enough to need PR
I feel too anxious and/or depressed
I don’t know enough about the possible health benefits
I had a poor experience of PR in the past
It is too soon after my flare-up and I don’t want to have another one
Barriers related to other factors
I am very busy and it will be hard to find the time
I can’t get there due to transport difficulties
It is too far to walk from the car park to the centre
My family / friends don’t think I should do it (have never heard of it)
I won’t be able to afford the costs of PR
I still smoke
It is important to find the ‘right’ person to talk to if you feel unsure about starting pulmonary rehabilitation after a lung flare-up. Different people have different knowledge and listening / communication skills.