Self-management support for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in ambulatory care--an observational study

Abstract

This cross-sectional study focuses on the status of COPD-related fears and impairments of adult patients receiving ambulant care as well as their use of self-management strategies. On the basis of the COPD Clinical Questionnaire, COPD Disability Index, COPD Assessment Test and the COPD Anxiety Questionnaire, COPD-dependent fears and impairments were determined in a convenience sample. Furthermore, data on important characteristics of the illness experience were gathered by semi-standardised interviews. Altogether, 80 patients (average age: 67.1 ± 8.5 years) took part in the quantitative interviews. In addition, 10 patients (average age: 68.2 ± 4.1 years) took part in qualitative interviews. Results showed that there were disease-related impairments in the areas of respiration, recovery and physical stress as well as in family and domestic obligations. Furthermore, illness-dependent fears had a high relevance in the study population. The management of COPD-related fears and taking into consideration information and counseling needs of these patients are important intervention approaches. On the basis of the presented results, evidence-based, multi-disciplinary, and disease-, situation- and above all, patient' needs-related interventions could be planned to support patients in self-management skills.