This Innovation Insight outlines opportunities to commission digital and other treatment options for people undergoing pulmonary rehabilitation (PR), such as remote-monitoring or exercise prescription platforms.
An increase in uptake of such innovations has the potential to increase the engagement of respiratory patients and so reduce the likelihood of hospital admissions and readmissions.
Innovations can support PR staff create tailored group exercises for patients with similar disease severity helping them share in their experiences.
Why pulmonary rehabilitation?
Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) consists of physical exercise programmes, information and guidance for people with lung conditions.
COVID-19 has highlighted the importance of supporting respiratory and post-COVID-19 patients in their PR.
The NHS Long Term Plan also aims to increase from 13 per cent to 60 per cent the number of eligible patients who are referred to PR.
Pulmonary rehabilitation pathway with digital innovation
The diagram below shows a typical pathway for patients referred into PR from secondary care and from primary care.
The five groups of patients referred from primary and secondary care are triaged and their risk stratified. Treatment options reflect their level of risk. Following treatment, patients will move into a maintenance phase that will include mental health support.
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Interact with the elements on the pathway for more information
Digital options
The following is a range of digital options that may improve the patient’s experience of PR. The options are only a sample of potential interventions: they are not intended to be exhaustive.
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MyCOPD
An app for clinicians and patients that enables self-management and remote monitoring. It collects data, checks side-effects and manages symptoms.
Health Innovation North West Coast Exchange
SPACE
An online self-management programme for people with COPD. Developed by respiratory and rehabilitation specialists.
Healthcare.Anywhere.
An app for clinicians and patients that enables self-management and remote monitoring. It collects data, checks side-effects and manages symptoms.
CliniTouch Vie
An MHRA-approved medical device that combines remote monitoring, patient education and patient self-management to reduce exacerbations and keep people out of hospital.
Health Innovation North West Coast Exchange
Salaso
A platform that allows healthcare professionals to prescribe exercise programmes for patients and monitor their progress.
VR in PR
A programme that delivers exercises by virtual reality headsets and allows healthcare professionals to remotely monitor their patients’ progress.
Rehab Guru
An exercise prescription app that allows fitness and medical professionals to send structured exercise programmes and educational material to their clients.
Health Innovation North West Coast Exchange
COPDPredict
Developed by NEPeSMO, features AI analytics for the prediction of COPD exacerbations and prevention of hospitalisations.
Clinical functionality of digital options
The table below details the features of our sample range of digital interventions.
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|
Innovation |
Shortness of breath |
Persistent cough |
Sputum management |
Low oxygen levels |
Pulmonary |
Outcome measures |
HCP support |
Approx. cost |
|
✔ |
✔ |
|
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
Available on request |
|
|
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
Available on request |
|
|
✔ |
✔ |
|
|
|
✔ |
✔ |
Available on request |
|
|
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
Available on request |
|||
|
✔ |
|
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
Available on request |
|||
|
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
Available on request |
|
|
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
Available on request |
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|
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
Available on request |
