Media Release: New trial to bring pulmonary rehab into primary care
- jmcnamara452
- Sep 5
- 3 min read
September, 2025
The Healthy Communities Foundation Australia (THCFA), in partnership with a number of Australian universities and research institutes, is launching a new trial to enhance accessibility of evidence-based treatments for the management of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
Funded by the Medical Research Future Fund, the trial will deliver care where people need it most – in their communities with patients to be recruited in the Armidale, Collarenebri and Orange regions and multiple PHN sites in Sydney.
It will explore the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of delivering pulmonary rehabilitation and self-management support in primary care settings, with findings intended to inform future health policy and funding reforms.
COPD is a long-term lung condition that causes symptoms such as:
Shortness of breath, especially during physical activity
A persistent cough, often producing mucus
Fatigue due to low oxygen levels.
COPD is the leading cause of potentially avoidable hospital admissions in Australia, with hospitalisation rates highest in socio-economically disadvantaged communities. A recent Queensland study estimated the cost of an emergency department visit for COPD at nearly $800 per person — and over $8,000 for those admitted to hospital. Better management in primary care could significantly reduce these costs and the burden on hospitals.
While there is no cure for COPD, early diagnosis and effective ongoing management — including medications, exercise, self-management and lifestyle changes — can greatly improve quality of life.
Angela Hubbard, THCFA Project Lead, highlighted the need for better implementation of national guidelines, which advocate for non-pharmacological treatments like pulmonary rehabilitation and self-management education.
“National guidelines stress the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to treatment. However, access is a significant barrier. Many COPD patients lack private health insurance, and even those who have private health insurance face high out-of-pocket costs. The only publicly funded pulmonary rehab programs are through hospital outpatient departments, which are often difficult to access, particularly in rural or remote areas.”
THCFA will recruit participants in the Armidale, Collarenebri and Orange regions alongside the University of Sydney (USYD) engaging multiple PHN sites in Sydney. The trial will test two evidence-based interventions:
Multidisciplinary team care – Three nurse-led consultations over three months focused on symptom management and improving overall health.
Pulmonary rehabilitation – A twice-weekly, eight-week group exercise program supervised by exercise physiologists, physiotherapists, allied health assistants, and/or Aboriginal health workers.
Programs will be tailored to local resources, from gym-based sessions to accessible activities like walking, light weights, and resistance bands.
“We anticipate that these strategies will not only improve COPD management, but also reduce the pressure on our hospital system,” Angela said.
The project will be delivered as a hybrid of in-person and virtual care, demonstrating that healthcare can be effectively provided across various formats.
“We hope this project will show that high-quality exercise programs can achieve great results, even without access to gym facilities” Angela added.
All THCFA health workers involved will receive specialised training in chronic disease care, building capacity for sustainable service delivery after the project ends.
Sarah Dennis, Chief Investigator and Professor of Allied Health at the University of Sydney, said the trial aims to shift the focus towards preventative healthcare and increase access to services in primary care.
“This study will provide Australian evidence we can use to advocate for more Medicare item numbers to support team-based care for chronic lung disease in the community,” Professor Dennis said.
For more info or to arrange an interview contact Julie McNamara - julie@lexicocreative.com/Ph 0419 595 688
