About the service:
The Victorian Virtual Pulmonary Rehabilitation (VVPR) service is an fully virtual, state-wide program, delivering evidence-based pulmonary rehabilitation to people with chronic lung disease.
The service combines structured exercise programs, comprehensive education and self-management support with routine outcome collection and exercise tracking, delivered through telehealth consultations by a multidisciplinary team.
All appointments are conducted via secure video consultations. The service does not offer in-person or telephone appointments.
Who is the service for?
VVPR is suitable for adults, residing in Victoria, with stable chronic lung disease who would benefit from pulmonary rehabilitation.
The current program is available for people with:
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Interstitial lung disease (ILD)
Participants must be medically stable and able to engage safely in an independent home-based exercise program with remote supervision.
What does the program involve?
The Victorian Virtual Pulmonary Rehabilitation program includes:
- An initial virtual assessment with the multidisciplinary team
- An eight-week exercise and education program, with a physiotherapist-prescribed exercise program completed independently at home or in the community
- Weekly physiotherapy review appointments to support safe exercise progression
- A structured education video series released weekly
- Routine outcome measures collected pre- and post-program
- Multidisciplinary input from physiotherapists, nurses, pharmacists, health psychologists and doctors, as clinically indicated
- Ongoing support via the My Health@Northern app for education, outcome tracking, messaging and telehealth appointments
The core program runs for eight weeks and is followed by an optional four-week self-management program. The self-management program focuses on embedding skills for maintaining regular exercise, building confidence, recognising early deterioration and knowing when to seek help.
Eligibility criteria:
- Adults with COPD or ILD
- Clinically stable and able to consent
- Able to engage with a digital platform, independently or with support
- Suitable home or community environment for independent exercise
Exclusion criteria
- Other primary respiratory diagnoses (e.g. bronchiectasis, PAH/CTEPH, lung cancer)
- Oxygen needs of 6L or more at rest or awaiting oxygen assessment (will accept on bridging oxygen)
- High falls risk
- Unstable cardiac conditions
- Severe musculoskeletal, neurological or cognitive impairment preventing safe exercise
How to refer:
Referrals are made via the Victorian Virtual Specialist Care (VVSC) website only
Contact:
For referral or eligibility queries or general information, please contact the VVPR team:
VVPR@nh.org.au
