1. Physicians' knowledge and perceived barriers to pulmonary rehabilitation in Nigeria
- Author
-
Ayodele Akinremi and Susan Ogwu
- Subjects
medicine.medical_specialty ,Nursing ,business.industry ,Rehabilitation specialist ,Family medicine ,medicine.medical_treatment ,Medicine ,Clinical settings ,Pulmonary rehabilitation ,business ,Cost of care ,Competence (human resources) - Abstract
Background: Preliminary observation shows that pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is not routinely practiced in most clinical settings in Nigeria; hence we sought to investigate physicians9 knowledge and perceived barriers to PR. Aim of study: To investigate physicians9 knowledge and perceived barriers to pulmonary rehabilitation in Nigeria. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of knowledge and perceived barriers to PR during the national scientific conference of respiratory clinicians in Nigeria. A 20-item self-administered questionnaire was used to collect information on variables of interest. Responses were summarized in frequency and percentages. Results: Forty clinicians (17 (43%) consultants and 23 (54%) registrars) from 23 states in Nigeria participated in the study. Most (87.5%) of the clinicians had knowledge of the components of pulmonary rehabilitation, 92.5% agreed that exercise is not contraindicated in chronic lung diseases and that PR is effective in improving functional capacity. 14(35%) participants were familiar with any PR guidelines. Five top barriers to PR identified include: unavailable/insufficient rehabilitation specialist, lack of rehab equipment, non-availability of institutionalized documented pulmonary rehab protocols, inadequate training on PR and cost of care to patients. 60% of the respondents feel they lack sufficient skill and competence to integrate PR programme in their institutions. Conclusion: Although most physicians showed good knowledge of pulmonary rehabilitation and indicated willingness to incorporate PR into their scope of care, it appears a concerted multi-disciplinary approach may be required to overcome identified barriers.
- Published
- 2015
- Full Text
- View/download PDF