Opinion and practice of pulmonary rehabilitation amongst health care providers in selected areas of Sri Lanka

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive disease, widely prevailing across low- and middle-income countries. Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is a low cost, high impact intervention but is not widely available in Sri Lanka. The opinions of health care providers (HCPs) regarding PR is important to establish an effective referral process for future PR. Aim: To collect the opinions of the HCPs on PR in Sri Lanka. Methodology: A self-administered questionnaire (e.g. Understating of eligibility criteria, worthwhileness of PR and factors affecting referring a patient for PR) was given to 270 HCPs (43% ≥5 years experience in respiratory disease, 83% nursing officers, 14% medical officers, 3% physiotherapists) in hospitals and chest clinics in Dehiwala, Colombo. Descriptive data are presented. Results: Eighty three percent of HCPs are unsure of the eligibility criteria for PR and 91% stated the need for a clear criteria for PR referral. Current reasons for potential PR referral included poor self-management (71%) and frequent exacerbations (75%). Lack of information (70%) and patient uncertainty regards PR (60%) would influence their decision in not making PR referrals. Conclusion: HCPs in Sri Lanka had low awareness of PR and were unsure about suitability of patient referrals. Increasing the knowledge of HCPs and establishing an informed referral system is an immediate need within the Sri Lankan healthcare setting.