Background
A pulmonary rehabilitation programme for COPD patients has been running in Cork since September 2008.
- Joint CUH / PCCC North Lee venture
- Programme supervised by Dr Mike Henry
- Multidisciplinary team:
- Medical / Nursing
- Physiotherapy / Dietician
- OT / Citizens Information Officer
- Smoking Cessation Officer
- Patients attend for 8 weeks:
- 1 hour class twice weekly
- Plus 1 hour education / week
- Only patients with spirometry confirmed COPD
Inclusion criteria
- Clinical evidence COPD (any severity)
- Patients receiving optimal pharmacotherapy
- Considering stopping smoking
- Motivation to change lifestyle
- Compliance
- Referral form
Exclusion criteria
- Severe orthopaedic or neuromuscular disease
- Recent CVA
- Severe heart failure or unstable angina
- Psychiatric disorders
- Terminal illness
- Lack of motivation