Respiratory physicians’ awareness and referral of pulmonary rehabilitation in China: a cross-sectional study

Background Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) has demonstrated physiological, symptom reducing, psychosocial, and health care savings benefits in multiple outcome areas for patients with chronic respiratory diseases. Physicians' PR awareness and PR referral practices are key in PR promotion. However, PR awareness and referral among respiratory physicians in China have rarely been studied. This study aims to explore respiratory physicians' perceptions towards PR and assess the referral of PR in China. Methods A self-administered questionnaire was distributed via WeChat and emails to respiratory physicians in hospitals to assess their attitudes toward and knowledge of PR and identify treatment barriers. The study was conducted from June through October 2019. Results As reported in the 520 questionnaires collected through October 2019 most respondents had heard about PR, and many had knowledge of PR practice, but relatively few had referred patients to PR before having responded to the survey. Education, region of practice, and duration of practice are significant factors that influenced the participating respiratory physicians' awareness of PR. The percentage of referral was influenced by physicians' education, region, and duration of practice. The absence of PR facilities was the main barrier to respiratory physicians' referral of patients to PR. Conclusions Chinese respiratory physicians' awareness of PR and referral to PR remain insufficient to support the delivery of PR to patients with chronic respiratory diseases. PR training for respiratory physicians and building PR centers are necessary to remedy these conditions.