Patient Perceptions of Life-limiting Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

摘要

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a life-limiting, progressive disease that eventually leads to death. Despite medical models supporting the use of quantitative measurements of airflow limitation to guide treatment, research on the patient perspective remains limited. This study explores a group of 6 patients living with stage IV COPD. Using qualitative methodology, this study describes the experience of disease burden from the individuals experiencing it. The findings of this study align with current qualitative literature on the phenomenon of living with COPD. The findings will help to guide individual care for these patients and prompt ongoing research in this area.