Addressing Barriers to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Care: Three Innovative Evidence-Based Approaches: A Review

Damian Chi Hong Siu, Liat Gafni-Lachter Boston University, Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Boston, MA, USACorrespondence: Damian Chi Hong Siu, Graduate, Post-professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate, Boston University, Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, 635 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA, 02215, USA, Email [email protected]: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a preventable yet widespread and profoundly debilitating respiratory condition, exerting substantial personal and global health ramifications alongside significant economic implications. The first objective of this literature review was to identify reviews the barriers to optimal COPD care, categorizing them into personal patient factors, professional awareness and knowledge, patient-professional relationships, and healthcare service models, including access to care that significantly impacts the quality of COPD management. The second objective was to introduce three approaches for enhancing COPD care outcomes: Self-Management Educational Programs, Health Qigong, and Telehealth service provision, each demonstrating positive effects on COPD patients’ health status. These evidence-based interventions offer promising avenues for enhancing COPD care and patient outcomes. Integrating these approaches into comprehensive COPD management strategies holds potential for improving the well-being and quality of life of individuals living with this chronic condition.Keywords: pulmonary disease, chronic obstructive, health qigong, telehealth, self-management educatio

Hybrid Tele-Health Approaches to Allied Health Services: A Scoping Review

Background and aim: During the past 2 years (during COVID-19), tele-health services by allied health professions (health professions other than doctors and nurses) have become widespread; uptake was almost immediate due to restrictions of social distancing and limitations on in-person services. In the aftermath of the pandemic, as limitations were receded, tele-health services substantially subsided, despite their many advantages. Hybrid tele-health is a service modality that combines in-person and remote services, thus reaping the demonstrated benefits of both. Still, research that defines the terminology of the service, existing models, outcomes, “best practices” and evaluation of service effectiveness is sparse. The aim of this review is to formulate a multidimensional, conceptual framework of hybrid tele-health services for adults and children requiring allied health interventions. The guiding research question is: What are the existing definitions, models, and outcome measures of hybrid allied health interventions for people across the lifespan? Methods: A scoping review will systematically map evidence and identify existing models for hybrid administration of allied health services. According to the framework of Arksey and O’Malley (2005), two independent researchers will systematically and iteratively search databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, CINAHL, ERIC, Scopus, PsycInfo, Science Direct, Web of Science, Google Scholar) for peer-reviewed manuscripts and conference proceedings that examined or described hybrid interventions. Based on the results, we will develop a multidimensional conceptual framework of hybrid tele-health services for adults and children requiring allied health interventions Expected results: This scoping review will provide a comprehensive synthesis of existing models, uses, definitions, and outcomes for hybrid telehealth services. The resulting framework will recommend uniform terminology and assist in identifying gaps in the literature regarding potential uses of and need for research of hybrid models. Importance to Medicine: Understanding hybrid telehealth services is expected to guide the development of future services in Israel and beyond, capitalizing on knowledge established during COVID-19, and will inform ongoing research and policies, thus improving accessibility to professional allied health care