TY - JOUR T1 - Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patient experiences of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR): A longitudinal qualitative UK study JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J VL - 40 IS - Suppl 56 SP - P1168 AU - Adam Lewis AU - Anne Bruton AU - Maggie Donovan-Hall Y1 - 2012/09/01 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/40/Suppl_56/P1168.abstract N2 - Introduction and BackgroundAttendance at PR in the UK is sub-optimal. Reasons for this have been explored. However, patient experiences have rarely been explored longitudinally through a PR programme regardless of patient participation. Furthermore, limited research has been performed in patient experiences of PR in primary care.Aims and ObjectivesThis research aimed to explore COPD patient experiences before and after PR, whether they completed, did not attend, or dropped out of PR.MethodFifteen participants were interviewed before and after PR regardless of patient completion. COPD patients were recruited from 2 Primary Care Trusts in the UK. Data were collected during semi-structured interviews using phenomenological research methodology.ResultsOf the 15 participants, 8 completed and 7 did not complete PR. Participants experienced uncertainty with regard to COPD, the care they received, PR, and their comparison with others. Prior to PR, uncertainty manifested itself in participants' experience of panic and vulnerability. The experience of uncertainty reduced following PR programme completion. Non-completers seemed angry with their care, less able to cope with comorbidities or wished to remain naïve regarding COPD.ConclusionPatient experiences of PR in primary care have been explored. Uncertainty was experienced by participants prior to PR which reduced following PR completion. Completers appeared better able to cope with comorbidities than non-completers. The importance of social comparison in PR requires further research. ER -