Pulmonary rehabilitation and chronic lung disease: opportunities for the respiratory therapist.

Pulmonary rehabilitation is a core component of the management of a patient with chronic lung disease. The respiratory therapist plays a vital role in pulmonary rehabilitation. Identifying patients who are eligible for pulmonary rehabilitation, assessing the individual patient prior to entry into the program, providing education regarding the patient's disease, and actively participating in the exercise and training programs are just a few of the ways that the respiratory therapist can participate in this very important activity for patients with chronic lung disease.