Understanding the Influences of COPD Patient’s Capability on the Uptake of Pulmonary Rehabilitation in the UK Through an Inclusive Design Approach

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is recommended for patients with COPD to improve their symptoms and quality of life. However, in the UK, only one in ten of those who need PR receive it and this might be inaccessible to people with disabilities. This study aims to inform improvements to PR service by identifying barriers to the uptake of PR in the COPD care journey in relation to patients’ capabilities that can affect their access to PR. METHODS: An Inclusive Design approach with mixed methods was undertaken. Firstly, patients and healthcare professionals were interviewed to gather insight into their experiences of COPD care and map patients’ care journey. Secondly, an Exclusion Calculator was used to estimate service demand on patients’ capability and the proportion of population excluded from the service. Thirdly, a framework analysis was applied to guide data analysis to identify the challenges of accessing PR. Finally, proposed recommendations were refined with patients and healthcare professionals. RESULTS: The overall capability-related exclusion number was very high (62.5%), and exclusion caused by limited mobility was the highest (50%) among the interviewees and even higher based on the population database. This suggests the importance of considering COPD patients’ capability-related needs to improve their access to care. Capability-related challenges for patients accessing PR such as poor mobility to transport and low vision impairing ability to read inhaler instructions were identified, as well as non-capability-related challenges such as patients’ perception about COPD and inability to access proper information. Recommendations were proposed to help patients to self-manage their COPD and access to PR. CONCLUSION: Lack of attention to COPD patients’ capability level in the delivery of PR may affect its uptake. Considering the capability-related needs of COPD patients and providing patients with reassurance, information, and support on their care journey could improve the uptake of PR.