COVID-19 rehabilitation delivered via a telehealth pulmonary rehabilitation model: a case series

Abstract International statements have suggested the pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) model as an appropriate rehabilitation option for people recovering from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) In this case series, we present our COVID-19 telehealth rehabilitation programme, delivered within a PR setting, and discuss the management of our first three cases All patients were male, with a median age of 73?years Following hospital discharge, the patients presented with persistent limitations and/or symptoms (e g breathlessness, fatigue, and reduced exercise capacity) which warranted community-based rehabilitation Patients were assessed and provided with an initial six-week rehabilitation programme supported via telehealth using a treatable traits approach Patients demonstrated improvements in exercise capacity and breathlessness;however, fatigue levels worsened in two cases and this was attributed to the difficulties of managing returning to work and/or carer responsibilities whilst trying to recover from a severe illness We found that PR clinicians were well prepared and able to provide an individualized rehabilitation programme for people recovering from COVID-19