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People with lung and heart conditions live with breathlessness every day and experience anxiety, depression and social isolation. Chronic breathlessness is a frequent reason for Emergency Department visits and hospital admissions.
Internationally, growing research supports the use of symptom-based care to lessen the effects of breathlessness to improve quality of life, assist families/carers in distress and potentially reduce hospital admissions. Despite the research, there are few available services in Australia, including the ACT, that focus on the management of breathlessness.
Capital Health Network, ACT’s Primary Health Network is working in collaboration with University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Southside Physio, consumers and clinicians to co-design and develop a pilot of a home Breathlessness Intervention Service tailored to the ACT.
The ACT Breathlessness Intervention Services (ABIS) trial opened referrals from general practice in March 2023. In addition to GP referrals, ABIS has also received referrals from Respiratory Physicians, Gerontologists and Nephrologists. Patients receive an initial home visit by a physiotherapist, with 2 – 4 follow-up visits at home or via a phone call by a Physiotherapist, free of charge. Interventions are non-pharmacological and address the ‘Breathing, Thinking and Functioning’ components of breathlessness. Interventions are aimed at both patient and/or their carer.
By using the ABIS technique, 14 patients avoided calling an ambulance on 24 occasions. Patients also reported that ABIS techniques to ‘breathe properly’ had reduced fear of breathlessness, breaking the vicious cycle of deconditioning and declining function to getting more out of life. Furthermore 75% of family carers reported an improved confidence in caring for the patient. After completing the ABIS program, most patients are now able to self-manage their breathlessness.
The ABIS trial is supported by funding from CHN through the Australian Government’s Greater Choice for At Home Palliative Care program. UTS will complete an independent evaluation of the pilot.
To make a referral to ABIS, please go to Referral Forms – Southside Physio Canberra – Woden, Tuggeranong And Mobile. The referral form is required to be completed by medical practitioners.
