The feasibility of conducting successful pulmonary rehabilitation in India

Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is a highly effective evidence-based treatment with multidisciplinary and comprehensive individualized interventions that reduce morbidity by improving functional capacity and managing respiratory symptoms. It can contribute to overall wellness, reduce symptoms related to respiratory conditions, and facilitate routine work and social activities. Hence, it is a vital component of integrated care for patients with chronic respiratory diseases. In India, PR faces several challenges arising from patients, society, and hospitals. Recent evidence suggests that PR has significant benefits in chronic respiratory diseases, including reduced morbidity and mortality, improved quality of life, and cost savings. Nevertheless, it has been significantly underutilized and has not received the necessary attention in India. The lack of proper utilization of PR can be attributed to several factors, including a lack of awareness and understanding among healthcare professionals regarding its advantages, insufficient referrals to PR programs, scarcity of specialized professionals trained in PR, and a general lack of awareness among patients about its benefits. This article aims to outline the obstacles to PR, identify the factors that influence its successful implementation, and propose possible solutions to overcome these barriers.