Commentary on Caress A, Luker K & Chalmers K (2010) Promoting the health of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Patients' and carers' views. Journal of Clinical Nursing 19, 564-573

摘要

An increasing emphasis is being placed on the management of chronic disease, much of which has been transferred to healthcare professionals working in the community. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a cause of significant morbidity and mortality and a major contributor to the occupation of hospital beds when patients are admitted with exacerbations. With the advent of evidence-based guidelines for the diagnosis and management of COPD including smoking cessation and pulmonary rehabilitation programmes, an improvement in information and outcomes for patients and carers alike would be expected.