Comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation for interstitial lung disease: A consensus approach to identify core education topics.

Abstract

To achieve consensus amongst health professionals and people with interstitial lung disease (ILD) on core educational topics for pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) in ILD. Health professionals with expertise in ILD and/or PR took part in a 2-round online Delphi process. Potential educational topics for PR were rated on a 4-point Likert scale with anchors of 'completely unimportant' and 'very important'. Results of each Delphi round were discussed and refined by focus groups of people with ILD, to achieve final approval of topics. Health professional participants (n = 43) represented six disciplines from five continents. Focus group participants (n = 10) had a range of ILDs and disease severity. Consensus was reached on six core education topics: (1) Staying well with ILD; (2) Keeping fit and strong after PR; (3) Oxygen Therapy; (4) Managing breathlessness and cough; (5) Overcoming fatigue; (6) Managing anxiety, depression and panic. This study has identified core educational topics for people with ILD who undertake PR, incorporating the perspectives of both patients and health professionals. This is a step towards comprehensive PR for people with ILD. This study provides PR clinicians with guidance on ILD-specific education topics that can be delivered in existing PR programs.