The prerequisites for success

An optimal strategy should include the patient AND the physician - this is the foundation of the team and the partnership:

• Identify the needs in terms of a pulmonary rehabilitation program in the region (competition in the community?)
• Evaluate the opportunities and challenges of the existing infrastructure (e.g.: parking, accessibility).
• Define the rehabilitation services and estimate the cost.
• Identify a cohort of referring physicians and front line professionals.
• Promote the program (e.g.: patient testimonials, transmission of results to physicians).
• Do some advertising (e.g.: newspapers, television, media interviews, wellness campaigns, Web sites, etc.).
• Promote pulmonary rehabilitation during national/international weeks devoted to it.
• Plan for a mechanism that will encourage the very first patients to re-register in the program after a certain lapse of time.

To sum up, success is based upon many different factors:

• Effective management practices and a well-organized program structure
• A motivated and proactive medical director
• A motivating, inspiring and inclusive medical coordinator, with proven leadership skills
• Support from the organization's decision-makers
• A dedicated, enthusiastic and well-informed interdisciplinary team
• Access to relevant documentation and reliable data

Without forgetting communications and interaction!

The effectiveness of the interdisciplinary team depends upon a satisfactory communications system. Team meetings will foster interaction. These meetings should be held at the beginning and at the end of a program. Their purpose is to enable the practitioners to discuss the following elements:

• Data from the patient's medical history and medical exam
• Results of medical tests
• Evaluations made by members of the team
• Specific targets or problems identified
• Personalized treatment plans
• Progress made by the patients
• Review of the treatment plans, when necessary
• Post-program needs

The question of funding is an unavoidable dimension that can make or break the establishment and/or survival of the program. When funding comes from private sources, it is strongly recommended to make medium-term agreements (3 to 5 years).