Evaluation of a Multi-professional Breathlessness Service for Patients With Breathlessness Due to Any Advanced Disease

Patients visit the MBS twice. At week 1, delivered by palliative care specialists and respiratory disease specialists, patients receive an detailed assessment of breathlessness, relevant symptoms beyond breathlessness, psychosocial issues and carer burden. Recommendations are provided, and reviewed at the concluding visit in week 6 with palliative care specialists. In between these visits, weekly physiotherapy sessions focus on positioning, breathing techniques, exercise as well as pacing and fatigue management. Further support from the multi-professional expert team is given as needed.

Patients will wait 8 weeks for start of intervention and will receive standard care in the meantime with access to respiratory medicine, general practitioners and palliative care services as needed. Standard care includes support by their general practitioners and disease orientated treatment (e.g. anti-obstructive treatment, oxygen supply if indicated, chemotherapy).