The Science Journal of the American Association for Respiratory Care
BACKGROUND: The Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program utilizes a Health Status Questionnaire (HSQ) pre and post program as an outcome measurement tool. The HSQ is composed of 36 questions, assessing eight specific health attributes, grouped under three major health dimensions: overall evaluation of health (health perception), functional status (physical and social functioning, role limitations attributed to physical health, and emotional perception), and well-being (bodily and mental pain, energy/fatigue). METHOD: The questionnaire is administered on orientation day and 8 weeks later on graduation day. Graduation day the participants do not see the questionnaire that was completed on orientation. Questionnaires that were not completed by a participant pre and post program were discarded from this review. HSQ scoring is designed to represent positive attributes perceived by the patient, the highest percent indicating an improvement. Pre and Post negative inspiratory force maneuvers (NIF) were completed on each participate to identify improvement in inspiratory muscle strength after reconditioning.
Results: There were 9 classes reviewed for 1998. A total of 41 participants completed both pre and post questionnaires. The average was taken for each of the health attribute categories pre and post program. The percent change was then calculated. The following HSQ information was obtained:
| Pre | Post | % Improvement | |
| Health Perception | 45%, | 49% | 4% |
| Physical Functioning | 28% | 39% | 11% |
| Role Limitations (Physical) | 19% | 40% | 21% |
| Role Limitations (Emotional) | 51% | 54% | 3% |
| Social Functioning | 57% | 70% | 13% |
| Mental Health | 70% | 73% | 3% |
| Free From Bodily Pain | 64% | 67% | 3% |
| Energy/Fatigue | 39% | 51% | 12% |
| NIF Maneuver | -54 | -65 | 20% |
CONCLUSION: The HSQ demonstrates the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program shows improvement in a participant's quality of life and increases muscle strength and endurance.
OF-99-005