Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a serious lung disease that substantially reduces life expectancy and quality of life. Symptoms of this disease include shortness of breath, a long-lasting cough, a cough with mucus, wheezing and fatigue. In Canada, almost all cases of COPD are caused by smoking cigarettes.
Health Quality Ontario Reviews Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Pulmonary rehabilitation is a treatment program tailored for people with COPD who have difficulty breathing even though they take medication. The program provides exercise training and education about living with the disease. It helps patients reduce flare-ups (exacerbations) and have the best possible quality of life.
There are concerns that pulmonary rehabilitation is underused, although it is considered the standard of care for patients with moderate to severe chronic lung disease. About 380,000 people living with COPD in Ontario could potentially benefit from pulmonary rehabilitation.
The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care is currently reviewing this recommendation.
The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has provided the following response: The Ministry has a standardized process in place to review Health Quality Ontario recommendations. This takes into consideration Ministry priorities, implementation options, the need for consultation with impacted stakeholders, and funding considerations.