A Survey of Community Nurses' Knowledge and Strategies Used to Relieve Breathlessness in People with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Abstract

Background: Little is known about community nurses’ knowledge of breathlessness and its management in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Aim: To explore the community registered nurses’ knowledge of COPD and the strategies that they use to manage breathlessness in people with COPD. Methods: A cross-sectional survey study of community registered nurses was conducted using the 65-item Bristol COPD Knowledge Questionnaire and an open-ended item to outline breathlessness strategies. Findings: A total of 59 nurses participated. The total mean Bristol COPD Knowledge Questionnaire Score was 43. The breathlessness category was the lowest scoring category. There were three themes that synthesised: the community nurse’s role in monitoring self-management of medications to relieve breathlessness; the use of non-pharmacological strategies to relieve breathlessness; the nursing skills used to monitor breathlessness in people with COPD.