Disease Awareness and Treatment Experience of Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore patients’ awareness and treatment experiences with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) through in-depth interviews. The objective was to develop data to support patients in the successful management of their illness. Methods: Purposeful sampling was used to collect information-rich cases and participants were recruited at a university hospital in Daegu, South Korea. Data collection was done through face to face in-depth individual interviews with 10 patients with COPD from November 2016 to December 2018. Interview began with open-ended questions and each interview lasted on average one hour. All interviews were audio-taped and transcribed verbatim and transcripts were analyzed using qualitative thematic analysis. The findings were verified by the participants. Results: Four themes emerged from data analysis: ‘Feeling like the disease is not my disease,’ ‘Terminology spills like a flood,’ ‘Negligent daily disease-management with relief,’ and ‘Relying on health professionals and family members hoping for healing’. Conclusion: Participants do not have a clear understanding of their illness nor feel that they are principal agents of their health and illness for treatment and disease management; instead, they depend mainly on their family members and doctors. The findings elucidated the need for increasing patients’ awareness of the illness. Nurses should develop educational support programs to help COPD patients improve their awareness of their illness and successfully manage their treatment.