Benavides-Cordoba V, Barros-Poblete M, Vieira RP, Mazzucco G, Fregonezi G, Torres-Castro R. Provision of pulmonary rehabilitation in Latin America 18 months after the COVID-19 pandemic: A survey of the Latin American Thoracic Association.
Chron Respir Dis 2022;
19:14799731221104102. [PMID:
35616253 PMCID:
PMC9149608 DOI:
10.1177/14799731221104102]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction
The Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly altered the
provision of rehabilitation services, especially pulmonary rehabilitation
(PR). Our objective was to assess the provision of PR services in Latin
America 18 months after the COVID-19 pandemic was declared.
Methods
A cross-sectional study that included professionals dedicated to PR in
centres in Latin America was applied. Responses to an online questionnaire
were collected from May to September 2021. The following data were included
for the analysis: demographic data, evaluation strategies, program
structure, PR intervention in post-COVID-19 patients, and perception of
strategies therapies for the care of post-COVID-19 patients. The
questionnaire was distributed in Spanish and Portuguese languages.
Results
Responses were received from 196 PR centres. Exercise tolerance was
predominantly measured with the six-minute walk test. Less than 50% of the
institutions evaluate quality of life, physical qualities, symptoms, and
lung function. Most of the programmes have physiotherapists (90.8%), as well
as pulmonologists (60%), and psychologists (35%), among other
professionals.
Conclusion
PR services in Latin America have adapted in their way to the requirements of
the pandemic, and most continued to provide face-to-face services. It was
identified that the application of the programs is heterogeneous both in
evaluations and interventions.
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