BackgroundConsumers frequently access the internet looking for health information. With the growing burden of chronic disease internationally, strategies are focussing on self-management interventions in community and ambulatory settings. The objective of this scoping review was to describe publicly available information on Australian airway clearance services.MethodsPublicly funded health services network webpages and Google were systematically searched between July and November 2018 using relevant keywords. We identified the number, location and currency of contact information of services; and described the services that were in operation and/or identifiable on the internet. Where specific airway clearance services were not identifiable via searching methods, webpages were navigated for associated physiotherapy services. All identified services were contacted via the listed phone or email to confirm web-based findings.ResultsSearching 131 publicly funded health service pages and 191 keyword hits identified four publicly funded airway clearance services (two of which were in operation when confirmed by direct contact) and six private services, all in metropolitan areas of capital cities. Webpages described who their services were for (9/10 services), how to gain referral (4/10) and types of airway clearance techniques available (5/10). A further 286 public physiotherapy services were identified, of which 24 (8%) included descriptors of service provision for respiratory patients on their webpage. In contrast, on direct telephone enquiry airway clearance intervention of some kind was confirmed as being available at 174/286 (61%) sites and unavailable at 69/286 (24%) sites.ConclusionsThis scoping review demonstrated inconsistencies between airway clearance service information available on the internet and the reported provision of services confirmed by direct phone contact. Services that are available need to make information visible to consumers on the internet and include details such as referral pathways, interventions and current contact details, to support people with airway clearance problems to access appropriate care in the community.

Background Physiotherapy-led airway clearance interventions are indicated for some people with chronic lung conditions. This study describes Australian clinical models for the provision of adult airway clearance services. Methods This cross-sectional national study recruited public and private health care providers (excluding cystic fibrosis-specific services) identified by a review of websites. Providers were invited to complete an electronic 61-item survey with questions about airway clearance service context, referral demographics, service provision and program metrics. Data were reported descriptively with differences between metropolitan and non-metropolitan services explored with chi-square tests. Results Between October-December 2019, the survey was disseminated to 131 providers with 91 responses received (69% response rate; 87 (96%) public (34 metropolitan; 53 non-metropolitan) and 4 (4%) private). Intent (chronic condition self-management) and types of intervention provided (education, breathing techniques, exercise prescription) were common across all services. Geographic location was associated with differences in airway clearance service models (greater use of regular clinics, telephone/telehealth consultations and dedicated cardiorespiratory physiotherapists in metropolitan locations versus clients incurring service and device provision costs in non-metropolitan regions). Conclusions While similarities in airway clearance interventions exist, differences in service models may disadvantage people living with chronic lung conditions, especially in non-metropolitan regions of Australia.