“I believe my project will provide important evidence to help optimize in-person and online pulmonary rehabilitation programs across Canada. Utilizing the results of my study, I would like to create Canadian guidelines on how to ideally implement online pulmonary rehabilitation. My overall goal is to help improve the health-related quality of life for people with chronic respiratory disease(s).
The project to be performed is a behavioral research study investigating the impact of COVID-19 on the delivery of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR). Online PR, consisting of real- time web-based exercise, education and self-management training, is an alternative delivery for PR during the COVID-19 pandemic. Online PR originated during the COVID-19 pandemic to reduce the probability of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus and protect those with chronic respiratory conditions. However, there is limited evidence regarding the effect of COVID-19 on PR delivery, the benefits and barriers of online PR compared to in- person PR, or client preferences on the delivery of PR during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study is to determine whether the effects of the of the COVID-19 pandemic has shifted the preferred delivery of PR to an online format.
A novel questionnaire will be distributed to people with an established chronic respiratory condition who are currently attending or previously completed one or more of the following PR programs; in-person PR before the COVID-19 pandemic, online PR during the COVID-19 pandemic and/or in-person PR during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants will be asked validated questions regarding a number of different areas of interest. The proposed project has been approved by the University of British Columbia Behavioral Research Ethics Board. We would like to expand participant recruitment across British Columbia to accumulate >100 responses and aim for publication. Additionally, with the results of the study, we would like to create the ideal online PR program via a computer application that resolves all of the reported barriers of online PR and emphasizes the benefits.”
