conclusion
Overall, this study showed that home-based nursing pulmonary rehabilitation of the type presented here could reduce fatigue and improve ADL and QOL in patients with stage 2 or 3 COPD. The positive effects of home-based nursing pulmonary rehabilitation make it an attractive alternative for certain patients who do not have access to (or do not accept) institution-based rehabilitation. British Journal of Community Nursing Vol 18,No 8 403 RESEARCH © 2013 MA Healthcare Ltd This study has also confirmed the active role that nurses have as members of community-based rehabilitation teams,
not only in the hospital but also in the home setting, in improving QOL among patients with stage 2 or 3 COPD. Moreover, the results highlight the need to pay attention to the special role and place of nurses in providing community-based services, especially in the existing health network in Iran, which emphasises the need for equality and justice in health.
The lack of specialised centres for pulmonary rehabilitation meant that this study was conducted with a small sample in only one centre, so results cannot be generalised to all patients with COPD. However, similar health-care centres will benefit from our findings.