Knowledge and Opinions of Individuals with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease About Long-Term Oxygen Therapy

Abstract

Aim: In this study, it was aimed to determine the level of knowledge about emotions, thoughts and oxygen use of patients using long-term oxygen. Material and methods. In the study, interviews were conducted with 12 patients who were treated in a training and research hospital. It was a qualitative study and the data were recorded on a voice recorder using a patient information form and a semi-structured interview form. After the data were analyzed, content analysis was conducted and reported. Results. Three main themes and seven sub-themes were found through the analysis of the data. The main themes are reactions to long-term oxygen use, what is known about the issues to be considered in long-term oxygen use, and the effects of long-term oxygen use on patients. Conclusion. As a result of our study, it was found that patients with COPD who were on long-term oxygen therapy had limited knowledge about long-term oxygen use, oxygen use had positive effects on dyspnea and home activity management, made them feel good, but they had difficulties due to reasons related to the transportation of oxygen outside the home.