Strategy introducing Pulmonary Rehabilitation for COPD management in rural India

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the biggest cause of death in rural India and its prevalence continues to increase due to widespread air-pollution. Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) is proven to be the most effective strategy to improve shortness of breath, health status and exercise tolerance as well as reducing re-admissions and mortality in patients with recent exacerbations. Despite this, there is no existing programme for PR being systemically introduced in rural India and anecdotal evidence points towards inadequate knowledge and practice of PR in rural areas of the Pune district. The aim is to assess the need for PR from both a caregiver and care recipient’s perspective, while formulating and testing a PR strategy for COPD management in a rural Indian setting. For further information, see: https://www.ed.ac.uk/usher/respire/chronic-respiratory-disorders/pulmonary-rehabilitation