[«Patient education in the context of rehabilitation» Self-management interventions and patient coaching integral components of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR)].

«Patient education in the context of rehabilitation» Self-management interventions and patient coaching integral components of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) Integration of effective self management interventions to pulmonary rehabilitation may not be considered as an option but as an integral part to make sustainable changes to patient behavior which will positively affect the maintenance of PR treatment effects. While it is well established that pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) improves functional / exercise capacity and health-related quality of life, one recognized important goal of PR is to influence health behaviors (smoking cessation, physical activity, breathing management, medication adherence, recognizing and supported self-managing exacerbations) in chronic pulmonary disease that promote successful disease management and better prognosis . With the integration of effective self- management interventions to PR programs there is an increased likelihood to not only improve typical PR outcomes but to make sustainable changes to patient behavior which will positively affect the maintenance of PR treatment effects. However, an evolution of traditional patient education from giving information only to effective self- management coaching is necessary as an evidence based integral part of best practice and quality in PR. Crucially this demands a healthcare system that 1) support self-management; 2. provide flexible access to professional advice; 3. ideally ensure continuity of care and 4. Pay for effective self-management interventions.