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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Siân Russell, Dr Dapo Ogunbayo, Professor Barbara HanrattyORCiD, Fiona Beyer, Professor Eileen KanerORCiD
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
Background: Self-management interventions for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can improve quality of life, reduce hospital admissions, and improve symptoms. However, many factors impede engagement for patients and healthcare professionals. Qualitative research, with its focus on subjective experience, can provide invaluable insights into such factors.Design and Methods: A systematic review and synthesis of qualitative evidence on COPD self-management from the perspective of patients and healthcare practitioners. Articles were appraised and data extracted for analysis and synthesis following a systematic search and screening.Results: Twenty-two articles were reviewed. Patients adapt to COPD, learning from experience, suggesting that learning to self-manage is a protracted process. The emotional needs of COPD patients are considerable; frustration, depression, and anxiety are common. Patients experience an assortment of losses, facing limitations on their lifestyle and social interaction. Over time, COPD can consume their existence, reducing motivation. Healthcare practitioners may not have sufficient time, resources, or appropriate skills or confidence to effectively support patients’ self-management, particularly in regard to emotional and psychological needs. This can compound patients’ capability to engage in self-management. Conclusions: For COPD self-management to be effective, patients’ psychosocial needs must be prioritised alongside medication and exacerbation management. In addition, patients’ personal beliefs regarding COPD and its management should be reviewed periodically to avoid problematic behaviours and enhance positive adaptions to the disease. Patients with COPD are not a homogenous group and no one intervention will prove effective for all. Finally, healthcare practitioners require greater education, training, and support to successfully assist patients.
Author(s): Russell S, Ogunbayo OJ, Newham JJ, Heslop-Marshall K, Netts P, Hanratty B, Beyer F, Kaner E
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: npj Primary Care Respiratory Medicine
Year: 2018
Volume: 28
Online publication date: 17/01/2018
Acceptance date: 30/11/2017
Date deposited: 17/01/2018
ISSN (electronic): 2055-1010
Publisher: Nature Publishing Group
URL: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41533-017-0069-z
DOI: 10.1038/s41533-017-0069-z
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