Globally, chronic lung diseases have been a growing health concern with a significant increase in mortality and morbidity yearly. With acute exacerbation, patients with chronic lung diseases often present with worsening symptoms such as dyspnea and increased secretion production. These symptoms, when not addressed promptly, could lead to severe respiratory failure consequently. After an acute exacerbation, patients with chronic lung diseases often continue to experience dyspnea and reduced effort tolerance, which could result in decreased quality of life and potential functional decline. Timely and appropriate medical and physiotherapy treatment is therefore imperative in the acute stage to facilitate recovery and delay functional deterioration, be it in the critical care units or general wards.
This one day workshop aims to equip physiotherapists with the understanding of respiratory impairments present in patients with chronic lung diseases. Participants will learn the various physiotherapy interventions to target these respiratory impairments. This includes airway clearance techniques and adjuncts for secretion management, as well as its evidence for use, in intubated and non-intubated patients with chronic lung diseases. In addition, the considerations and precautions for early rehabilitation for these patients will be discussed. At the end of the workshop, participants will be equipped with the knowledge required to develop a holistic, evidence-based treatment plan in effectively managing patients with chronic lung diseases in the acute setting.
Learning objectives:
- To understand the pathophysiology of common chronic lung diseases and its respiratory impairments
- To appreciate the diagnostic investigations and medical management of patients with chronic lung diseases
- To learn about the evidence of various airway clearance techniques as well as rehabilitation approaches in both intubated and non-intubated patients with chronic lung diseases
- To understand the different modes of oxygen therapy delivery and its role in rehabilitation for patients with chronic lung diseases
- To equip participants with a framework that guides clinical reasoning to effectively manage patients with respiratory impairments
