Abstract

Rehabilitation is recommended as a well-established intervention option for patients with chronic respiratory conditions, suffering from persistent symptomatology and disability. Pulmonary rehabilitation emphasizes the ability of the patient to adapt and self-manage in the face of physical, emotional and social challenges of life by addressing identified pulmonary and extra pulmonary traits as well as behavior and life style factors. In order to create added value for patients and society, pulmonary rehabilitation must be organized as a flexible, individualized, integrated intervention, based on partnering different skills. The general principles of such process-based organization are reviewed.

Keywords: Pulmonary rehabilitation; Chronic disease; Rehabilitation program