| dc.description.abstract | Background: Maintaining exercise is essential to sustain the ability to function and quality of
life for patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (copd). Aim: To explore
why patients with copd continue to participate in group exercise program lead by
physiotherapists at the hospital over time. Method: This was a qualitative study with face-toface in depth, semi-structures interviews with 11 patients, who had attended a maintenance
exercise program at a hospital in Central Norway for at least four months. The main question
was witch factors were decisive for attending supervised group training at the hospital.
Interviews were audio taped, transcribed verbatim and analysed using systematic text
condensation. Results: The findings were categorized into three main themes: 1) experiences
with the training program at the hospital, 2) group training, 3) use other training facilities. The
feeling of safety provided by the proximity to medical assistance, to get individualized
exercise program and the opportunity to get continuous individual guidance throughout the
training sessions were reasons for attending of the hospital program. To be together, have the
opportunity to interact socially and to discuss daily challenges with people with same
condition were seen as important aspect of the group training. The majority felt
uncomfortable, with training in a fitness club and said that did not exercising so hard on their
own was. Conclusion: Supervised group exercise program with individual feedback together
with people with the same condition, in the proximity of medical assistance with a qualified
instructor with good interpersonal skills appear to be the most important reasons why to
patients with copd continue to participate in group exercise program at hospital. | nb_NO |
