The study aimed to explore the current use of outcome measures for individuals with bronchiectasis by physiotherapists in Mumbai, India and their perceptions of the new COS-PHyBE. This marks an initial step towards ensuring global relevance of the international core outcome set.
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with cardiorespiratory physiotherapists who were members of The Society of Cardio-Vascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (India). Data were collected between April and June 2024. Interviews were transcribed and analysed using content analysis, which included identifying themes, categories and codes from the interview transcripts.
Twelve physiotherapists in Mumbai participated in on-line interviews. The outcomes they reported using were generally similar to those recommended by the COS-PHyBE. They included measures of exercise capacity, quality of life and respiratory symptoms. Inconsistencies in outcome utilisation were evident between physiotherapists, with measures of fatigue and treatment adherence rarely mentioned. All participants felt that the COS-PHyBE included essential aspects and necessary components for assessment that would be valuable for clinical practice.
This study suggests that the COS-PHyBE is appropriate to the bronchiectasis population in Mumbai. It would encourage a consistent approach to assessments, allowing individuals to be monitored more holistically before and after interventions and over the course of their disease progression. Future research should focus on developing and validating standardized outcome measurement tools for physiotherapists treating bronchiectasis in Mumbai. Key areas include multilingual tools and strategies to improve patient adherence. Long-term studies are needed to evaluate assessments and interventions, enhancing clinical practice and improving patient outcomes.
The key findings indicate that while physiotherapists in Mumbai generally align with the COS-PHyBE framework in treating bronchiectasis, there is significant variability in the outcome measurement tools used, affecting the consistency and comparability of patient evaluations. Barriers such as language issues, symptom exacerbation during assessments, and gaps in monitoring fatigue and treatment adherence were highlighted. Tailored treatments are common, but the lack of standardization in assessment tools leads to inconsistencies in evaluating treatment effectiveness. Addressing these gaps through standardized tools, training and strategies for improving patient adherence is essential for better clinical outcomes in healthcare.
Physiotherapy outcomes in bronchiectasis
India
