PR-buddy training is complete

The IMPROVE trial has 14 Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) services where PR staff have been trained in the setting up and running of a PR-buddy service. The recruitment and training of volunteer PR-buddies are the first two crucial steps in this process. 93 former PR patients have completed their training to become PR-buddies and most are already supporting other people with COPD who have been referred for PR. When we started the IMPROVE trial we couldn’t be certain that the recruitment of volunteers to take on the training to become a PR-buddy would be possible in PR services all over England so we have been delighted by the enthusiastic response to this opportunity to volunteer.

Patient participant recruitment of people for the PR-buddies is under way at a steady pace. Following a suggestion from Riddhi, one of our London-based research assistants a new video has been created to support the recruitment of patients into the trial. The video includes information from the trial’s health psychologist Emma and from members of our COPD patient advisory group who talk about the purpose of the trial and why patients should consider taking part.