Professor Andrew Chan and Dr Sally Wootton
Digital health breakthrough for lung disease patients When Dr Sally Wootton tells younger
NSLHD, first explored the access issue in 2014, and by 2018, she and Professor Andrew Chan began co-designing an app with clinicians, technology experts, and people living with COPD. After years of user testing and a randomised controlled trial involving 90 participants, the m-PR™ platform is now rolling out across NSLHD, having proven as effective as traditional centre-based rehab. “We have proved that the patients improved and felt confident and supported to use the platform,” said Sally. The eight-week program runs on a smartphone, with weekly clinician check-ins. It includes tailored exercise, education, goal setting, symptom monitoring, and more. Sally said mobile health technology—or “m-health,” as it is known—puts healthcare in the hands of the patient. “It really empowers them to actually take control of their health.” Research is underway to road test the app with staff and refine its implementation.
physiotherapists that she began her career with Manchester City Football Club in the United Kingdom, she sees their eyes light up. But she’s quick to add that her most rewarding role came later, working with people living with lung disease. “Helping these patients turn their lives around in eight weeks of rehabilitation has given me so much satisfaction as a physio,” she said. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) makes it hard for people to breathe and worsens over time. Commonly linked with emphysema or chronic bronchitis, it is a leading cause of illness and death worldwide. Evidence shows that rehabilitation supported by teams bring significant benefits. Unfortunately, many COPD patients struggle to physically get to services. “It is estimated only 10 percent of Australians with the condition have access to a program,” she said. Sally, a clinical specialist physiotherapist at
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