Lung Association's Ottawa COPD program: A successful maintenance pulmonary rehabilitation program

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a respiratory disorder characterized by a progressive loss in lung function resulting in partially reversible airway obstruction. Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is a multidisciplinary program that includes the integrated components of exercise training and education and is recommended for all patients with COPD. Several guidelines and standards on the management of COPD recommend some sort of maintenance program after PR. The purpose of this paper is to report on an evaluation of a maintenance program. The Lung Association Ottawa COPD program acts primarily as a long-term maintenance program following comprehensive PR. It offers 7 sessions, 4 days a week and is comprised of exercise, education, psychological and social support. The exercise program consists of lower and upper extremity ergometry and weight training. The evaluation included 1) patient attendance; 2) exercise methods; 3) focus groups conducted by an independent facilitator and; 4) a satisfaction survey. Evaluations found that patients learned how to live with and be in control of their lung disease and had increases in their physical capacity and motivation. They found the group interaction invaluable both for learning and for social and psychological support. Patients were very satisfied with aspects of the program including staff and learning resources. Increased support such as space, staffing and finances would further strengthen the program.