Authors (including presenting author) :
Kwan HY(1), Chan TF(1), Ho HW(1), Lam A(2), Lau WLC(3), Tsui AYY(4), Ko WN(3), Kong I(4), Cheng RYF(1), Kwok CT(1), Ling SO(1), Poon YN(1), Tseng CK(1), Yim CW(1), Ng PK(1), Chan D(3), Leung K(4), Mok YW(1)
Affiliation :
(1) Department of Respiratory Medicine, Kowloon Hospital (2) Smart Hospital and Innovation Office, Kowloon Central Cluster (3) Occupational therapy Department, Kowloon Hospital (4) Physiotherapy Department, Kowloon Hospital
Introduction :
Peer support plays a crucial role in enhancing the effectiveness of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) for patients having chronic respiratory diseases (CRD). Delivery of pulmonary tele-rehabilitation (tele-PR) through video-conferencing in Department of Respiratory Medicine (RMD), Kowloon Hospital overcomes the geographical limitation to patient recruitment, thus improving their accessibility and clinical outcomes. However, the extent of peer support experienced by patients in tele-PR might not be as affirming as that from conventional PR due to reduced face-to-face social interaction.
Objectives :
To explore the feasibility of effective provision of peer support to patients recruited into tele-PR through group training, and to identify its benefits.
Methodology :
Our department started providing tele-PR to patients suffering from CRD since July 2021. It is a home-based supervised tele-PR program conducted by a multidisciplinary PR team, including respiratory doctor, nurse, physiotherapist, and occupational therapist. The program consisted of 14 sessions (three hours each) once weekly for three months. All essential components of PR are delivered through video-conferencing in real-time. Peer support is integrated into the program through virtual group sessions, where participants could share their experiences, provide encouragement, and foster a sense of community. Maximum number of patient per group was six to optimize their tele-PR experience. Upon completion of tele-PR, they were invited to complete a patient satisfaction survey.
Result & Outcome :
From 7/2021 to 12/2024, 20 patients with CRD were recruited (COPD 10; asthma 3; bronchiectasis 4; ILD 3). Only two patients failed to complete (completion rate: 90%). Others completed the program with 100% attendance rates. Feedback from patient satisfaction survey indicates that they value the opportunity to connect with others who face similar challenges, which cultivated a sense of belonging and reduced their feelings of isolation and anxiety – emotions that are often experienced by patients with CRD. They reported increased motivation and commitment to their rehabilitation training when participating in groups, and expressed higher levels of satisfaction with their rehabilitation experiences, attributing their improved emotional well-being and self-management skills to the supportive group dynamics.
We demonstrated that integrating peer support into tele-PR through group training is feasible and could amplify its positive impact on patient outcomes. By fostering a supportive community, tele-PR could significantly enhance patient experience, encourage sustained engagement in health-promoting behaviors, and ultimately leading to better health trajectories for patients with CRD. Group training is feasible and should be an important element in all tele-PR program to promote peer support.
