The PR Network

The PR Network

Background

Since 2012 the Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) Network has been running with the main purpose of providing a forum for sharing ideas; providing peer support to new and developing programs, and to promote increased access to pulmonary rehabilitation across Australia.

Lung Foundation Australia envisaged that in consultation with this group potential projects would include: the development of national PR guidelines, advocacy for MBS rebate for PR and maintenance, and the development of a national training program for PR. Since the commencement of the PR Network numerous actions and steps forward have already been taken to ensure the successful completion of the projects set out by the Lung Foundation.

Governance

The PR network executive consists of the following positions; chairperson, secretary (LFA pulmonary exercise manager) and state and territory representatives (2 per region). All Executive members volunteer their time to actively participate in network governance and participate in meetings and working groups as required.

Membership

The disciplines currently involved include but are not limited to physiotherapists, accredited exercise physiologists, clinical nurses, respiratory specialist physicians, social workers, psychologists, occupational therapists, speech pathologists, dietitians, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers and practitioners and allied health assistants.

Clinical Network Online platform

The PR Network clinical platform is available for all members to use, irrespective of type of membership. The intention of the online forum is to provide peer support and increase communication across health professionals involved in working with respiratory patients. We encourage all members to join the platform as this is the central place for PR Network communications, updates, resources, discussions and meeting minutes and recordings. You can join the PR Network clinical platform by clicking here.

Meeting Cadence

Members of the PR Network are invited to join quarterly online meetings, chaired by the PR Network Chairperson with guest speakers and presentations relevant to members. All meetings are recorded and posted in the online platform for easy playback.

Lung Foundation Australia continues to seek interest from health professionals Australia wide to join the network if you:

• Work with patients living with lung disease or lung cancer in a clinical environment and/or
• Have involvement in lung health research
• Are recognised as a member of a pulmonary rehabilitation team

If you are interested in being a part of the PR Network you can join the online community of practice platform, or if you would like more information contact [email protected].