Are Australian physiotherapists and exercise physiologists interested in providing pulmonary rehabilitation in primary care? A national survey

Background The benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) are well established, but there is limited access to centre-based PR programs. In Australia, physiotherapists and accredited exercise physiologists (AEPs) are licensed to provide PR in private practices in primary care but no funding stream exists. The aim of this study was to ascertain whether physiotherapists and AEPs in private practices are interested in delivering PR, whether the resources available within private practices can provide PR and ascertain alignment to business models. Methods An online survey was distributed to Australian physiotherapists and AEPs working in private practices through national professional bodies, Primary Health Networks, Lung Foundation Australia and researcher networks from November 2023 to 2August 2024. The survey used 5-point Likert scales and assessed participants’ interest in providing PR in their private practice, whether their resources and business model would support this, and whether group exercise aligned with their private practices’ business model. Results The survey was opened by 299 people, with 245 (82%) eligible responses received from 182 (74%) physiotherapists and 63 (26%) AEPs. Nearly all (99%) participants were aware of the benefits of PR, with 91% interested in providing PR in their practice and 92% agreeing a government-based funding model would encourage this. Most practices had suitable resources to provide PR, and 86% agreed or strongly agreed that providing PR aligned with their business model. Data from free-text responses supported the quantitative data. Conclusions Private practice physiotherapists and AEPs are interested in providing PR and many have appropriate resources; however, a government-based funding model would be needed to enable this.