Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major cause of chronic morbidity and mortality throughout the world. A patient-centered perspective calls for the investigation of self-management behaviors as means to develop self-management programs and enhance quality of life for patients with COPD. Chen and coworkers explored the self-management behaviors of patients with COPD. The participants were a convenience sample of 18 patients with COPD of various severities. Interview data were collected in the thoracic ward, outpatient department, and pulmonary rehabilitation unit of a medical center in Taiwan from November 2006 to April 2007. Participants demonstrated the ability to choose suitable disease management behaviors to prevent symptoms and complications. Five themes of disease management behaviors were identified: (a) symptom management; (b) activity and exercise implementation; (c) environmental control; (d) emotional adaptation; and (e) maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

WHAT THE STUDY MAY MEAN TO YOU AS A HEALTH CARE PROVIDER: The authors concluded that participants adopt appropriate disease control behaviors based on their experience and knowledge.

WHAT THE STUDY MAY MEAN TO YOU AS A PATIENT: If you have COPD, you must receive self-management training. As noted in this study, your later performance of self-management skills will permit you to live a longer and higher quality of life despite COPD.

KH Chen et al. Self-management behaviors for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a qualitative study. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 2008;64:595-604.