Living with knowledge gap and psychological burdens: understanding the attitudes, barriers, and support needs for pulmonary rehabilitation among oral and maxillofacial cancer patients in China

PURPOSE: This study aimed to explore the attitudes, challenges, and support needs related to pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) among patients with oral and maxillofacial cancers and their caregivers in China. METHODS: We conducted semi-structured, in-depth interviews with a purposive sample of patients, both pre- and post-surgery, and their caregivers at a tertiary hospital in Chengdu, China. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: A total of 14 participants (7 patients and 7 caregivers) were interviewed. Five key themes and thirteen sub-themes emerged: (1) perceptions and attitudes toward PR, (2) multifactorial influences on participation, (3) preferences for PR education formats, (4) challenges in engaging with PR, and (5) psychological burden and the need for information support. CONCLUSION: This study offers critical insights into the barriers and facilitators of PR for oral and maxillofacial cancer patients in China. Findings underscore the need for culturally tailored, patient-centered PR programs that address both physical and psychological recovery. Improved PR initiatives could enhance pulmonary function, quality of life, and overall outcomes for this vulnerable population, offering valuable implications for healthcare stakeholders and policymakers in China and similar settings worldwide.