TY - JOUR
T1 - Perspectives of patients and health professionals on important factors influencing rehabilitation following acute pulmonary embolism
T2 - A multi-method study
AU - Rolving, Nanna
AU - Bloch-Nielsen, Jannie Rhod
AU - Brocki, Barbara Christina
AU - Andreasen, Jane
PY - 2020/12
Y1 - 2020/12
N2 - Background International guidelines on pulmonary embolism (PE) management and rehabilitation have recently been published. However, the contained recommendation about an efficient follow-up strategy after PE is difficult for health care professionals to implement because limited research exists about what strategies are efficient. Objectives The study aimed to 1) describe and explore perspectives and experiences of health care professionals (HCPs) and patients participating in a post-PE rehabilitation intervention, and 2) provide suggestions for future post-PE management and rehabilitation interventions. Patients/methods The study was a multi-method study, nested in a larger randomized controlled trial, combining data from two focus group interviews with 10 HCPs, 16 individual interviews with patients, data from exercise diaries and logbooks from HCPs participating in a rehabilitation intervention. Results Key factors for successful post-PE management, considered important for reducing anxiety and confusion by both patients and HCPs, were the presence of a multidisciplinary specialized team, initiation of management shortly after discharge, and having regular follow-ups, e.g. telephone consultations. In terms of rehabilitation, repeatedly testing physical performance, resuming exercise under the guidance and support of specialized personnel, and access to peer support, were considered important for increasing motivation and self-efficacy for engaging in physical activity again. Conclusions This study offers suggestions for key elements to include in post-PE management and rehabilitation interventions, as well as the structuring of care. However, research still needs to be undertaken before solid recommendations for the content and structure of successful post-PE management and rehabilitation can be given.
AB - Background International guidelines on pulmonary embolism (PE) management and rehabilitation have recently been published. However, the contained recommendation about an efficient follow-up strategy after PE is difficult for health care professionals to implement because limited research exists about what strategies are efficient. Objectives The study aimed to 1) describe and explore perspectives and experiences of health care professionals (HCPs) and patients participating in a post-PE rehabilitation intervention, and 2) provide suggestions for future post-PE management and rehabilitation interventions. Patients/methods The study was a multi-method study, nested in a larger randomized controlled trial, combining data from two focus group interviews with 10 HCPs, 16 individual interviews with patients, data from exercise diaries and logbooks from HCPs participating in a rehabilitation intervention. Results Key factors for successful post-PE management, considered important for reducing anxiety and confusion by both patients and HCPs, were the presence of a multidisciplinary specialized team, initiation of management shortly after discharge, and having regular follow-ups, e.g. telephone consultations. In terms of rehabilitation, repeatedly testing physical performance, resuming exercise under the guidance and support of specialized personnel, and access to peer support, were considered important for increasing motivation and self-efficacy for engaging in physical activity again. Conclusions This study offers suggestions for key elements to include in post-PE management and rehabilitation interventions, as well as the structuring of care. However, research still needs to be undertaken before solid recommendations for the content and structure of successful post-PE management and rehabilitation can be given.
KW - Disease management
KW - Exercise
KW - Pulmonary embolism
KW - Rehabilitation
KW - Qualitative research
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85090710466&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.thromres.2020.09.016
DO - 10.1016/j.thromres.2020.09.016
M3 - Journal article
SN - 0049-3848
VL - 196
SP - 283
EP - 290
JO - Thrombosis Research
JF - Thrombosis Research
ER -